Humanism influenced the growth of learning by emphasizing the value of the individual and focusing education on human potential, rational thought, and the development of the whole person. It shifted learning away from exclusively religious and metaphysical concerns to a more secular, learner-centered approach that promotes critical thinking, self-evaluation, emotional growth, and lifelong learning.
Key Influences of Humanism on Learning Growth
- Learner-Centric Education: Humanism advocates placing the learner at the center of education, promoting autonomy, personal growth, and self-directed learning where students choose what and how to learn based on their interests and needs.
- Holistic Development: It integrates intellectual, emotional, and social development, emphasizing both knowledge acquisition and emotional growth, recognizing the importance of motivation, curiosity, and psychological well-being in effective learning.
- Secular and Broad Curriculum: Humanism encouraged the study of classical texts beyond theology, leading to the revival of liberal arts and humanities, including grammar, rhetoric, history, and moral philosophy. This broadened educational content and promoted critical thinking and intellectual curiosity.
- Critical Thinking and Ethical Development: Humanist education stresses questioning assumptions, evaluating evidence, and cultivating social responsibility and ethical awareness, preparing learners for thoughtful participation in society.
- Promotion of Lifelong Learning: It fosters a mindset valuing continuous growth and learning beyond formal schooling, encouraging knowledge pursuit for personal and professional development throughout life.
- Self-Evaluation and Non-Threatening Environment: Humanist approaches encourage students to self-assess their learning progress and foster a safe learning environment where learners feel secure to explore and grow, minimizing the focus on external grading.
In summary, humanism's impact on learning growth lies in its emphasis on nurturing well-rounded, autonomous individuals through learner-centered, emotionally aware, and critically engaged education, which transformed traditional educational paradigms and laid the foundation for modern educational theory.
