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Week 3 Journal

In the video, Dr. Greene went over the history of adult education and provided a brief

timeline regarding the important events and changes related to adult education. One of the

patterns that I noticed in the history of education in America is that each educational movement

was created because of a need in the society. For instance, in 1727 Leather Apron was created to

provide an opportunity for all gentlemen in the town to come together and problem-solve

together. Benjamin Franklin noticed that the city and people need to collaborate therefore he

created the Leather Apron. In 1904 Henry M. Leipziger and the New York City’s Department of

Education promoted the free lecture program under the name of “Institute of adult education”

because they saw a need to create an environment that everyone can be equal and receive an

education. In 1924 the National Education Association created the Department of Adult

Education because they noticed the need to educate adults who were foreign-born. They

expanded their services to all Americans because the American-born adults also needed

education. The history is full of examples like this where the policymakers recognize a need and

provide a solution through an educational action or movement.

The patterns and information in the movie are a reminder that adult education is an

important part of our society. As adult educators, we walk on the path that was created by the

people who came before us. Adult education did not look like what we have right now, and it

was created over several hundreds of years. However, the pattern shows that if there is a need

there will be a change in the way that we educate adults. What we see in our today’s society is a

response to the need of today’s adult learners. A few decades ago, adult learners had limited

opportunities to pursue education because they had to go back to school traditionally. They had

to attend in-person classes during the day, which limited the number of adult learners in formal
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educational settings. However, with the growth in technology schools adapted the way that they

offer classes which provided the opportunity for most adult learners like me to go back to school

and continue their education. The schools saw the need to offer online classes, so more adults

can further their education, therefore they created hybrid and online courses. As an adult

education, we should be aware that the educational path might change again if society's needs

change.