THE APPLICATION OF A HUMANIST, HOLISTIC MODEL OF

EDUCATION TO TECHNICAL EDUCATION, WITH Course Title: BSc in Education (Design

REFERENCE TO THE HUMANIST CARL ROGERS Graphics & Construction)
Name: John Keegan- G00332426
Supervisor: Dr. Marie English
Abstract
Abstract
‘’The good life is a process not a state Recommendations
The concept of the Humanistic approach to Education has been around for years and
of being, It is a direction, not a
destination’’
the work of the renowned educational theorist Carl Rogers has arguably left a legacy Proposed Teaching Strategy;
for education today. Rogers’ person-centered approach is one that is used world wide ▪ Students given material by the teacher along with a brief.
in education, Rogers’s belief that every human being strives for and has the capacity - Carl Rogers - ▪ Students use their creativity to design a project from what they have been
to fulfill his or her own potential. Literature shows that the humanistic approach given ( development of the mind).
considers at the ‘holistic’ or ‘whole person’ experience in teaching and learning, this ▪ The students create a goal for what they want to create.
is important today as the key skills outlined in the framework for the Irish Junior Cert ▪ The students will them use their own initiative to make the project with the
reform require the development of the whole person. It is reasonable to argue that Research Findings assistance from the class teacher.
Technical Education has a strong overlap with the humanistic approach as they have ▪ Students will be asked to present their workings to the class to improve their
a resembling development of the person as a whole. The research methodology ✓ The Humanistic approach to Education is one of the Psychology’s of Education. The humanistic approach oracy skills.
adopted for this dissertation is secondary research. to teaching arguably is one that is admirable as it portrays the development of a person as a whole
person and looks at the character of the person.
Conclusion
✓ Arguably, the nature of Technical Subjects is one that has Humanism at the core, the subject areas
Introduction consist of practical work with incorporates hand-eye coordination along with critical thinking in the The Humanistic approach to education is one of the leading ones in education
process of project-based learning. and is the direction in which education is moving in the technical classroom.
The new Junior Cert Reform in Ireland has brought about emphasis of the ✓ The word ‘Phenomenology’ is one that is associated with Rogers belief and theory. It means the reality Arguably the humanistic approach is the approach that aligns best with the Key
development of a student as a whole. This is something that all educators need to of our environment depends on our perception of it (Thorne & Sanders, 2012). Skills outlined in the Framework for Junior Cert Reform by the NCCA, (NCCA,
take into account when planning lessons on an ongoing basis. Carl Rogers was among ✓ Carl Rogers had the belief that humans had two basic needs 1. Self-Actualization: the need to fulfill all of 2016). The author indicates that the humanistic approach is important as it is
the founders of the humanistic approach to psychology and his theory has had a one’s potential, 2. Positive Regard. crucial to develop the whole person.
huge impact on the education system that we have today. It is arguably directly
linked with technical education the humanistic approach is one that we use in our
classrooms on an ongoing fashion. Acknowledgments
I would like to thank the following people:
Aims and Objectives ▪ Dr. Marie English for her supervision throughout.
▪ Dr. Susan Rogers for support during dissertation module sessions.
▪ Dr Pauline Logue Collins
➢ Establish a concise definition of the humanist approach to teaching and learning, ▪ Mr. Anthony Clare
▪ Library Staff at GMIT Dublin Rd Campus for their assistance throughout the
and how it relates to the technical subjects; research process of the project.
➢ Outline the humanistic model of education based on the holistic approach by
showcasing a holistic model of education to technical education;
➢ Identify the contribution left by Carl Rogers theory on education and the impact it
has on today’s education; References:
➢ Design a strategy that supports student meta-cognition based on the
investigation of Rogers’s theory. Fig 2.
1.
2.
Fig 1: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/here-there-and-everywhere/201101/6-amazing-things-carl-rogers-gave-us
Thorne, B. & Sanders, P., 2012. Carl Rogers. New York: Sage.
Fig 3. Rogers Core Conditions
3. Heppner, P. P., Rogers, M. E. & Lee, L. A., 1984. Carl Rogers: Reflections on his Life. Journal of Counseling and Development, pp. 14-20.
4. Fig 2: http://www.wordsalive.org/blog/2016/10/10/whole-person-development
5. Fig 3: https://ferntreecounselling.co.uk/what-is-person-centred-therapy/
6. NCCA, 2016. Framework for Junior Cert Reform, Dublin: Dept. of Education and Skills.