What is Humanistic Philosophy

According to humanistic philosophers, humans have unlimited potential for learning. Advocates of this approach emphasize freedom and autonomy, trust, active cooperation and participation, and self-directed learning. Since students are capable of self-directed learning, humanistic education is student-centered not only with regard to the responsibility for learning but in terms of the self-development of each learner. The student is viewed as a unique individual in whom all aspects of the person must be allowed to grow in the educative process. Emotions, attitudes, physical aspects are as important as intellectual development. The whole personality, all the dimensions of humanness that differentiates human beings from animals, are deemed the important areas of development in humanistic education. Because of self-directed learning on the part of the students, instructors are expected to be learning facilitators, linking students to learning resources. Sometimes, instructors are expected to consultants, or a “guide on the side.”

Curriculum Development for Adult Learners in Career and Technical Education

Viktor Wang (California State University, Long Beach, USA)