It is often said that adult education is becoming an occupation in search of an identity. This study points to the dangers of pushing vocation to the margins by concentrating too heavily on technical expertise. In place of a narrowly determined focus on the characteristics and deficiencies of individual learners, the author suggests that adult educators should concentrate more on improving their own practice and understanding their own motivations. He views this as crucial for the development of a critically informed pedagogy. Collins defines vocation as a thoughtful ethical commitment, vital to the teaching profession but often overlooked in an era which emphasizes upward social mobility and personal advancement. In concentrating on vocation and practical uses, "Adult Education as Vocation" adds significantly to the debate surrounding the issues of professionalism and critical practice in teaching. As such the book should be of value both to practitioners and academics. Michael Collins has also written, "Competence in Adult Education".
- ISBN10 0415909147
- ISBN13 9780415909143
- Publish Date 23 June 1994
- Publish Status Unknown
- Out of Print 7 April 1998
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
- Imprint Routledge
- Edition New edition
- Format Paperback (UK Trade)
- Pages 160
- Language English