Humanistic Approach

in Education
1) Am I a Humanistic Teacher?

2) Am I using a humanistic approach

in teaching my students?
HUMANISM
Derived from the latin concept word humanitas.

System of thought attaching prime importance

of human rather than divine and supernatural
matters.
EDUCATION
It is all about learning theory.

Education is about opening up the experiences

whereas training is closing down in the sense of
not doing it wrong. (John Dewey, 1938)
HARGREAVES TEACHERS
(DAVID HARGREAVES, 1939)
they believe students are wild
animals who dont want to learn,
but who can be made to learn-if you
LION TAMERS crack the whip hard enough.

believe students dont want to

ENTERTAINERS learn. But they will if we can
make it enough fun.

NEW ROMANTICS
nave fools who believe
students actually want to
learn! The HUMANISTS.
HUMANISTIC EDUCATION
Is a paradigm/philosophical/pedagogical approach
that believes learning is viewed as a personal act
to fulfill ones potential.

FOCUS:

Human freedom
Dignity
Potentials
 Also called a person-centered education.

Educators role is that of a facilitator.

WHAT HUMANIST TEACHER
BELIEVES?
They believe that it is necessary to study
a person as a whole.
the study of self, motivation and goals are areas
of particular interest.
the students will be motivated to learn
a subject if its something they need
and want to know.
 grades are irrelevant and that only self
evaluation is meaningful.

Both feelings and knowledge are important to

learning process.
PROPONENTS OF HUMANISTIC
EDUCATION
Abraham Harold Maslow (1943)
Father of Humanistic Psychology
Influenced beliefs regarding educational
methodology to a more humanistic approach.
Abraham Harold Maslow (1943)
Famous for proposing that the human
motivation is based on the Hierarchy of Needs.
HIERARCHY OF NEEDS
Maslow (1943)
 What a man can be, he must be. The
need we call self-actualization
Abraham Maslow (1943)
 Carl Ransom Rogers (1951)
Developed the person-centered education
theory.
Said that significant learning is acquired
through doing.
The only person who is educated is the
one who has learned how to learn and
change.
Carl Ransom Rogers (1971)
GOALS OF HUMANISTIC
EDUCATION
to contribute to the development of energetic,
positive, self respecting, caring human beings who
can meet all challenges.

the purpose of humanistic education is to provide a

foundation for personal growth and development so
that learning will continue throughout life in a self-
directed manner (DeCarvalho, 1991)
PRINCIPLE OF HUMANISTIC
EDUCATION (Gage and Berliner, 1991)
Choice and Control
Student will learn best what they want
and need to know.

The Whole Person

Knowing how to learn is more important
than acquiring a lot of knowledge.

Self-evaluation
Self-evaluation is the only meaningful
evaluation of a students work.
 Felt concern
Feeling are as important as facts.

Teacher as a facilitator
Students learn best In a non-threatening
environment.
BASIC OBJECTIVE OF HUMANISTIC
EDUCATION (Gage and Berliner, 1991)

Promote positive self-direction and independence.

(development of the regulatory system)

Develop the ability to take responsibility for what is

learned.(regulatory and affective system)
 Develop creativity. ( divergent thinking aspect of
cognition)

curiosity ( exploratory behavior)

An interest in the arts ( primarily to develop the

affective/emotional system)
HUMANISTIC APPROACH IN
EDUCATION
Open Classroom
Student centered with focus on
individual growth, critical thinking and
commitment to lifelong learning.

Learning Styles
Allow student to use a learning style that
suits them.
 Co-operative Learning
Students engage with one another in
order to work towards a common goal.

Experimental Learning
Learning from experience that addresses
the needs and wants of the learner.
CLASSROOM IMPLICATIONS
STUDENTS

Curriculum is up to the students.

As long as the student has drive to learn

this theory is easy for teachers.

If the student dont want to learn, they

wont.
 TEACHER

Only guide students as they set off their

own educational journey to learn.

Facilitating the student would be the

main role of teachers.
HUMANISTIC SCHOOL OF
THOUGHT
Show respect to students

Consideration of students needs,

expectations, feelings, values.

Accepting students as they are.

THINGS HAPPEN IN A
HUMANISTIC CLASSROOM
Active learning strategies

Conflict of resolution

Incorporating whole class

PROGRAMS/PRACTICES
Individualized instructional process

Learning projects

Sensitivity training

Teachers effectiveness training

Active listening
 Invitational learning

Values clarification

Moral education

Multiethnic educational approaches

 What is reality: humans have potential and innate
good.
Meaning: intellect distinguishes human from animals
Nature of Humanness: autonomy, dignity, and freedom
are sacred.
Educational aim: individual potentiality; self
actualization.
Educational method: Facilitation; self-direction,
teamwork.
Educational Content: Any curriculum is a vehicle for
meeting needs.
Main Criticism: Important societal goals can be missed.
Key Proponents: Maslow, Rogers, Knowles.
1) Am I a Humanistic Teacher?

2) Am I using a humanistic approach

in teaching my students?
THANK YOU!!!!
REFERENCES

http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/affect/humed.html
http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/ed416/PP4.html
http://www.slideshare.net/James.Atherton/humanistic-education-
3335368?qid=128aecd3-718b-468c-9c0c-
eca42541ee2c&v=&b=&from_search=10
http://www.slideshare.net/nichkhunana24/humanistic-learning-
theory-by-ana?qid=128aecd3-718b-468c-9c0c-
eca42541ee2c&v=&b=&from_search=1