Off-campus UNL users: To download campus access dissertations, please use the following link to log into our proxy server with your NU ID and password. When you are done browsing please remember to return to this page and log out.
Non-UNL users: Please talk to your librarian about requesting this dissertation through interlibrary loan.
An identification and examination of the educational philosophy of adult education among the graduates of the Bear Valley School of Biblical Studies
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the philosophy of adult education, teaching approaches and perceived effectiveness of adult education programs among the full time graduates of the Bear Valley School of Biblical Studies. This study utilized descriptive and comparative statistics to analyze data. Information was gained through use of a written questionnaire and followed by telephone interviews. A total of eighty six graduates participated in the study. The subjects were graduates of the Bear Valley School of Biblical Studies who are presently employed full time in the United States. The subjects represented every region in the U.S., averaged 36 years of age and had an average of eight years full time experience. Nearly half of the graduates were found to be in the Progressive philosophy, which was also the predominant philosophy among the faculty of the Bear Valley School. It was found that the graduates were often using techniques and practices inconsistent with their philosophy, but were conducting their classes in ways traditional with the Churches of Christ. Although the graduates considered themselves to be effective in certain areas, such as developing of knowledge and interests, they rated themselves as ineffective in a number of categories, such as motivating, evangelizing and meeting needs. A basis for this ineffectiveness was seen in that nearly all of the graduates were operating with classes and programs which have no clearly defined goals. It is recommended that the Churches of Christ become more active in learning about the needs and concerns of the their adults, and that they devise programs that are specifically designed to meet those needs. It is also recommended that materials be made available that provide guidelines for the development and implementation of an adult educational program.
Subject Area
Religious education|Religion|Philosophy|Adult education|Continuing education
Recommended Citation
Petrillo, Dennis Dale, "An identification and examination of the educational philosophy of adult education among the graduates of the Bear Valley School of Biblical Studies" (1989). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8914086.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8914086