IACE Hall of Fame Repository
Document Type
Book
Publication Date
1973
Induction Class Year
1998
Abstract
The central question of this study was: What are the contributions in theory and practice Malcolm S. Knowles has made to the emerging field of adult education? The nature of the study as contemporary history of a living person's educational work, required the findings to be preliminary. The source of information used to answer the central question were: interviews with and questionnaire responses of contemporaries of Knowles and Malcolm S. Knowles who served as "prime information resource;" writing so Knowles and others; and documents and proceedings of a variety of organizations influenced by Knowles. Sections were included on the influence that shaped him as an adult educator; his administrative role at Chicago Central YMCA and Adult Education Association of the U.S.A; his being professor of Education at Boston University; and his spin-off influence on total social systems and individuals, in addition to numerous students and graduates. His influence on more than forty social systems are described and his influence on forty-four individuals is described. George F. Aker's model of twenty-three essential adult educator behaviors was the tool used to determine areas of strength and weakness of Knowles as asserted by others. Three conclusions concerning Knowles seem warranted: (1) Only the activities and vocation which offered him the opportunity to pioneer and do what he perceived as socially useful could ultimately capture his efforts - adult education thus far has set this test; (2) Eduard C. Lindeman's book "The Meaning of Adult Education" formed the central overall perspective, inspiration, influence and foundation for Knowles' contribution to the field of adult education; and (3) Knowles' social science research base in his adult education contributions stem from Alvin Johnson and his book "The Clock of History."
Recommended Citation
Henschke, John A. EdD, "Malcolm S. Knowles: His Contributions to the Theory and Practice of Adult Education" (1973). IACE Hall of Fame Repository.
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