TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING: EXTENSION’S

NICHE AND GOAL

Nancy Franz

Associate Dean for Extension and Outreach for Families and 4-H Youth

Director ISUE to Families

INTRODUCTION Thank you for your interest in TL Nancy’s TL journey

30 years with Extension Agent, volunteer, department head, graduate

student, specialist, program coordinator, administrator

Environmental education, youth development, adult education

Silent sports, reading, gardening, dark chocolate I’m here to help us revitalize our spirit, tell

the public story of our work, build on our great reputation as an educational force in Iowa

YOUR TURN Your name Why you are here today What you want to hear or learn about

OVERVIEW Approaches to Extension education What is TL? Why does TL matter? What do we know about TL and

Extension? The role of the Extension educator in

facilitating TL Discussion

Approaches to Extension’s Educational Mission

CONTENT

LOW

HIGHFACILITATION TRANSFORMATIVE

EDUCATION

SERVICE CONTENTTRANSMISSION

PROCESS

HIGH

LOW

D. M. Ewert, 2001

WHAT IS TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING? A prominent adult education theory Three types of learning

InstrumentalCommunicativeTransformative

WHAT IS TL? Individuals, groups, and

organizations have a new perspective and action that greatly differs from past views and behaviorsDeepPersuasiveSustained changeShow what we are as people

MEZIROW’S 10 TL STEPS Experience a disorienting dilemma Undergo self-examination Conduct a critical assessment of

internalized role assumptions and feel a sense of alienation from traditional social expectations

Relate personal discontent to similar experiences of others or to public issues – recognize that your problem/situation is shared and not just private

Explore options for new ways of acting

MEZIROWS 10 STEPS (CONT.) Build competence and self-confidence in

new roles Plan a course of action Acquire knowledge and skills for

implementing plans Make provisions to try new roles and

assess feedback Reintegrate into society on the basis of

conditions dictated by the new perspective

WHY DOES TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING MATTER? Our mission is to make a difference (a

deep difference) To enhance support (TL=loyalty) To fill our niche in our public good

portfolio Makes us feel our work is meaningful Professional development-we transform

as our clients transform

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT TL AND EXTENSION? Cornell staff study – internal

partnerships nurture transformative learning

Virginia camp staff study – our educational environment creates transformation

Our own professional development is criticalThe “other” as mentor and supporterProvides disorientation for change

Requires us to move from expert model to architect of learning environment focused on deeper public value

ROLE OF EXTENSION EDUCATOR IN FACILITATING TL Architect of learning environment Co-learner and co-teacher Learner centered, mutual respect Honor and build on the experience of

the learner Flexible learning environment

Find and follow teachable moments Sequential and deep learning designs Aware of social networks and nodes

DISCUSSION-MAKING TL HAPPENAt your table

Share a personal story about Extension transformative learning you’ve witnessed and the educator’s role in it

DISCUSSION-MAKING TL HAPPEN

What do we need to do to improve TL conditions and outcomes in ISUE?

FUTURE CONVERSATIONS

Nancy Franznfranz@iastate.edu