What is adult learning in the RCIA? Six concepts

"TEDxPioneerValley2012" by Samuel Masinter | Flickr

3 thoughts on “What is adult learning in the RCIA? Six concepts”

  1. The pedagogy/androgogy debate has been going on for some time. I prefer to see the both/and rather than the either/or side of this debate. The term for this is humanagogy because it contains aspects of pedagogy and androgogy combined. Both approaches have something to offer. We have all experienced adults who have come to us as children and children who act like adults mature beyond their years. Being familiar with both approaches allows us more flexibility to meet the needs of our candidates.

  2. Nick, thanks for another great post. My experience is that the “Why” will come from asking and reflecting on the 5 key questions to ask inquirers (see one of Nick’s earlier posts). This has enabled our RCIA community to build an inquirer specific plan, recognising prior evangelisation learnings, and showing respect to their current situation.

    I have found working with catechumens significantly easier, where I have them eager to discover how God acts in their life, sharing their spiritual life experiences, and keen to learn more since I increased the role and focus of, and, the way we do Sunday dismissals. For a refresher, go to the October 2013 Webinar “What every RCIA Team needs to know about dismissals”. Since changing the dismissal function by increasing the feasting on the Word during dismissal discussion using the “See, Hear, So-What” principle and mostly avoiding catechesis, catechumens experience an exciting way to discover, learn and change which then flows into the separate catechetical sessions. Using a good dismissal discussion shows respect the life experiences of our catechumens.

    Clearly separating each function empowers the catechumens to apply and respond to changes in their attitudes and behaviours as they journey through the catechumenate period and to openly talk about it in group sessions.

    I have found that this means I do not have to impose on them and that they remain eager to learn and discover more.

    Finally, I am more convinced than ever that the more we tailor a specific journey for each person, whether they be an unbaptised inquirer journeying through the catechumenate or a baptised candidate journeying to full communion of the Church, the more we show respect to them and their already successful faith journey, the greater their adult learning experience will be with the parish RCIA community.

    1. Hi Max. I think you really nailed about the dismissal session. Too often, that just becomes another classroom moment and the focus on worship is lost. And I really like your conclusion that we have to tailor the specific journey for each person and respect their faith journey. Thanks for sharing.

      Nick

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