Research On The Gradual Progress Of Adult Education Function In American Colleges And Universities Since World War ?

The activities of adult education in American colleges and universities began in the early 19 th century and are at the forefront of the world.In the middle and late 19 th century,the landgrant college movement and university extension movement in the United States pushed higher education to the forefront of adult education.Since World War ?,adult education in American colleges and universities has achieved great development,many colleges and universities have placed adult education in an important strategic position,and regard it as one of their missions.Due to the influence of various factors,the main functions of colleges and universities adult education in American in different historical development stages show different emphasis,which are of great value to the development of the society and people at that time.With the use of methods about literature method,historical method and comparative research,this article analyzes the gradual process of the adult education function of American colleges and universities since the World War ?,explores the evolution regularity and characteristics of its function,and analyzes the factors that affect its function,which is of great significance for clarifying the current position,promoting the function and pushing the development of adult education of colleges and universities in China.On the basis of tracing the history of adult education in American colleges and universities,this paper divides the gradual process of adult education in American colleges and universities into three stages by focusing on "functional evolution".And each stage is detailed in terms of what is the main function,motivation,main manifestation and value.From the early 19th century to World War ?,in addition to the occasional lectures and courses offered by teachers from colleges and universities for the public,the land-grant college movement,the university promotion movement and the establishment of junior colleges were the early practices of the adult education activities of American colleges and universities,which had the nature of "social welfare",and showed and played the function about promoting the development of industry and agriculture,communities and individuals.In terms of theoretical research,Thorndike proved that adults have learning ability.Lindeman made a preliminary discussion on the theory of adult education.These practices and theories made adult education possible and laid a solid foundation for the rapid development and giving full play to functions of adult education in American universities after World War ?.From the outbreak of World War II to the end of 1950 s,due to the influence of World War II,social and economic development and politics,as well as the development of social service functions of universities,the adult education in colleges and universities showed and played the main function which is promoting the development of the country and society.Colleges and universities carried out short-term trainings and correspondence education during the war,provided educational opportunities for military service and veterans,and provided civic and vocational education.The main function of promoting national and social development is of great value to meet the demand for various talents during the war,maintain social stability after the war and improve international status.From the 1960 s to the early 1970 s,under the guidance and support of social environment,Adult Education Act and other relevant laws and policies,as well as the influence of human capital theory,the main functions of adult education in American colleges and universities have been developed to promote personal career development.During this period,community colleges developed rapidly and promoted adult career development.Colleges and universities actively cooperated with enterprises to train and educate on-the-job employees,and to continue to educate various professionals.In order to solve the distance problem and facilitate on-thejob adult learning,colleges and universities adopted the second generation distance education model,and innovated the education model to carry out targeted education.The function of promoting adult professional development is of great value in promoting the development of adult careers at different levels,meeting the needs of adults in different career fields and cultivating the necessary human resources for enterprises and society.Since the mid-1970 s,under the influence of changes in the social environment,the guidance and support of the Lifelong Learning Act and other related laws and policies,and the influence of modern international lifelong education,adult education in American colleges and universities has demonstrated the function of promoting adult lifelong learning.During this period,the rise of non-traditional higher education institutions,the integration of multiple education fields in colleges and universities,and the use of modern distance education models have expanded the opportunities for adults to receive education,met the needs of adult diverse learning and promoted the construction of a learning society in American.Based on the analysis of "functional evolution",this paper attempts to explore the characteristics of the evolution of adult education in American colleges and universities and its implications for the function of adult education in Chinese colleges and universities.The adult education function of American colleges and universities has evolved from serving the country and society to emphasizing individual value.It has the characteristics of ambiguity of stage boundaries,complexity of influencing factors,and practicality of functional functions.In order to give full play to its own functions,adult education in colleges and universities in China needs proper guidance and support from the government to establish and improve the legal system of adult education;based on the perspective of lifelong learning,establish the correct view of adult education function;integrate all kinds of colleges and universities to highlight the differences and features in the functional positioning of adult education;integrate multiple teaching methods to strengthen the flexibility of adult education in colleges and universities.