¶ … functions of mind wanting, feeling and thinking most influence the two perspectives a learner presented? Why?
One of the recent trends in adult education is that of the increased significance of online learning. The positive aspects of online learning are that it allows individuals who might not be able to continue or pursue a degree to learn in the privacy of their own homes, and to have more flexibility when scheduling classes. The disadvantage is the loss of face-to-face debate and interaction with students and faculty. On one hand, online education is more democratic, but on the other hand there is a loss of a connection to a real-world community outside of the immediate classroom environment of the web. Also, learning from the 'feeling' aspects of relationships, such as getting to know people personally, takes less precedence than the 'thinking' aspect of simply meeting course requirements and writing reasoned answers on a discussion board.
What evidence of egocentric thinking do you find in either perspective? Support your findings with specific examples.
A harried adult learner might protest that to define education only in terms of creating a good classroom environment, although this form of education might be the most enjoyable, does not take into consideration the needs of people who must work full time, and take care of a family as well as go to school. However, a detractor might respond that it is unfair for online learners to only focus on their educational needs, and that simply getting grades and meeting the requirements for a degree is not really getting the full benefit of a college experience. Different people define what constitutes a true college experience egocentrically, based upon their own opinions as to what a college degree should signify.
What evidence of sociocentric tendencies do you find in either perspective? Support your findings w / specific examples.
Socioculturally, because education has gotten increasingly expensive, and people must work while they pursue degrees, online learning can be a boon. Also, for parents with children, nontraditional students can enhance their credentials through online learning. However, to relegate individuals with economic or personal difficulties to online education might be unfair in the long run, and greater access to student loans, work study jobs, cheaper tuition, and more flexible 'real world' classes, might enable them to ultimately have a better college experience.
