Unique Adult and Community Education Programs: TED and Chautauqua Institution

KEITH COZART HAS COMMENTED ON PAPERS FROM GROUPS

Unique Adult and Community Education Programs:
TED and Chautauqua Institution

Keith Cozart, Kyle Owens

Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana

Group 4

Division of Responsibilities:

Keith Cozart: TED, Table

Kyle Owens: Chautauqua Institution, Comparison

Abstract

This research paper describes and compares two unique adult/community education programs the TED and Chautauqua Institute.  Though the discovery of these two programs this paper will identify and describe their names, location(s), educational purpose, educational perspective, learners and organizational start-up.  It will also draw some conclusions based on similarities/differences between the two organizations and the implications their work has had on the field of adult education.

Unique Adult and Community Education Programs:
TED and Chautauqua Institution

Introduction To TED

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design.  It began in 1984 as a conference bringing together influential people with TEDs slogan “ideas worth spreading” from the three above industries. Founded by visionary Richard Saul Wurman, the first conference in Monterey, California established its now traditional format of the 18-minute mini presentation. The first conferences’ line up demoed the Sony Compact DISC, LucasFilm 3D graphics, the Apple Macintosh computer and Benoit Mandelbrot’s coastal mapping using fractals.  After a financially rough start-up, the conference found it’s yearly stride 6 years later hosting annual TED conferences on the West Coast.  During these early years TED conferences were by invitation only but propelled by a growing and influential audience that began to stretch beyond Tech, Entertainment and Design.  Presenters broadened to include musicians, scientists, philanthropists, philosophers, religious and political leaders and many more. As more disciplines were included, the number of participants grew.  TED members were and still are united by curiosity, open mindedness, and a desire to think outside of the box.  The thrill in shared discovery of an exciting secret or new advancement is also an important propellant that provides TED with a progressive edge in the adult education field.  These early conferences set the stage for what many of its attendees describe as their yearly intellectual and emotional highlight. 

In year 2000, media entrepreneur and TED member Chris Anderson struck an agreeable deal with an aging Wurman to take the reins of TED.  Wurman was ready to retire.  Anderson’s non-profit The Sapling Foundation acquired TED in 2001 and Anderson became its curator.  Anderson held true to established principles that made TED conferences great, such as inspirational vibe, broad content, and passionate idea sharing; all untainted by corporate influence.  Soon many significant changes would occur.  Content broadened even further while TED actively sought the world’s most inspiring speakers.  It was soon realized that TED should and could have an impact well beyond the annual conference.  From 2001-2006 TED expanded to include the following:

TEDGlobal- sister annual conference held in different locations around the world

TED Prize- an annual prize that awards its winner one wish to help change the world

TEDTalk- the ever-expanding online library of the best of TED conference lectures available for free.

By 2009 TED had moved its conferences to Long Beach, CA and added a parallel conference called TEDActive held in Palm Spring (to be moved to Vancouver and Whistler, BC in 2014).  It’s online TEDTalk views skyrocketed to over 100 million.  The programs continued to expand its world reaching impact by adding their Open Translation Project (OTP) that aims to expand out to the 4.5 billion non-English speaking folks of the world.  OTP accomplished this through subtitle captions, voice over technology and with an open source translation tool called Amana.  More and more features of TED have been added sense 2009, which a few include:

TEDx – smaller community TED events led under free licensing that includes TEDxWomen

TED Fellows – by application, mentoring via TED's conferences and senior fellows.

TEDMED- annual conference focusing on health and medicine.

The organization is now headquartered in New York City and Vancouver, B.C. holding passionately to its belief in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives, and ultimately the world. 

Implications of TED

At first glance TED may seem too entertainment driven to me taken seriously within adult education.  It definitely embraces current technology, media, events, news and interests giving it a pop culture feel.  But in reality it is just packaging learning in modern ways for modern audiences while using time-tested proven concepts and techniques of adult education.

            For example, Cryil Houle identified three subgroups of adult learners in answering the question, why do adults participate in learning?  From Houle’s publication The Inquiring Mind (Houle, 1988; originally published in 1961, pp. 15-16) he lists three kind of learners which are as follows: (1) goal-oriented learners who participate to meet specific objectives; (2) activity-oriented learners, whose reasons for participation have little to do with the learning content and more to do with the activity; and (3) learning-oriented learners who seek knowledge for the sake of knowledge.  TED can accommodate all three of these learning subgroups.  Its slogan of “Ideas Worth Sharing” encompasses the learning-oriented, sharing for the sake of learning something new.  Its conferences fulfill the activity-oriented learner in live in person engagements with world-renowned speakers.  And through TEDs commitment to new ideas in the world of art, technology, philosophy, philanthropy and more, all of the program resources offered by TED can aid and fulfill the goal-oriented learner in their pursuit to meet personal, employment, financial and life goals.

            The most pertinent aspect of TED is its breakdown of participation barriers.  Through its ever-expanding TEDTalks online library, local events via TEDx, and OTP language translation program, TED has made significant world changing contributions to lessening barriers in participation within adult education.  Cross (1981) categorized three major barriers to adult education participation.  They are Situational Barriers, Institutional Barriers and Dispositional Barriers.  Later Darkenwald and Merriam (1982) added a fourth category, Informational barriers. 

Situational barriers deal with an individual’s life circumstances such as lack of money or time.  TEDTalk is free and available 24/7.  Even without personal online access, use through public library computer lab has little to no cost with the convenience of accessing resources in your free time. In addition via OTP, TED lowers another situational barrier- the language barrier.

Institutional barriers are instances that limit or block opportunities for potential adult learners to participate in a learning event/program, such as entrance exams, GED requirements, course scheduling, and bureaucracy.  TED accomplishes amazing solutions to this barrier though its many varied platforms of access to their online media and/or conferences. There are economic issues. TED is definitely unavailable to someone without the $6000 to attend a convention or online computer access.

The category that digs more deeply into the learner’s personal character is Dispositional barriers.  Cross identifies these as “attitudes and self-perceptions about oneself as a learner” (Cross, 1981, p. 98).  Especially as TED has expanded its content base over the years it draws from a wider demographic of learners.  Via TEDTalk, a self-conscious learning may login at the comfort of their home.  While this may not help change perceptions of them selves as worthy learners, it is a step toward self-directed learning, which Merriam and Brockett (2007, p. 136) identify as one of the most important developments in adult education over the past three decades.

Lastly, Informational barriers reflect a lack of visibility.  Marketing, if any, has failed.  Learners simply do not know what programs are available or where to find the necessary information to become a participant.  Without online access and/or connections to the west coast you are likely never to hear about TED- although if you are online and on social media it is very likely you have been exposed to TEDTalks.

The Chautauqua Institution

The Chautauqua Institute was founded in 1874 with the name The Chautauqua Lake Sunday School Assembly. It is located on a 750 – acre complex that is besides Chautauqua, which is where it derived its name. The center is located in the Southwestern New York State and is primarily functioning during the summer months where it sees over 800 visitors.

The educational purpose of the Chautauqua Institute is to provide a vacation retreat in which the adults will participate in Self-Improvement activities in a field of their choosing. One of their goals is to encourage the identification and exploration of the value dimensions in the important religious, social and political issues of our times (Chautauqua, 2014). These types of activities can promote identification and development of those values that each individual who attends the institute is trying to achieve. The purpose of this institute is to bring in those adults who are dedicated to life-long learning and stimulate them both spiritually and mentally.

The institute promotes three main perspectives when they host their programs in the summer months. The first is art; at the institute the people there promote and celebrate the arts, whether visual or non-visual. The center has multiple areas were adults can listen and dance to symphony, opera, and many other outlets. The Chautauqua Institute states “artists need other serious artists if they are going to exceed their individual possibilities (Chautauqua, 2014).” This program is designed with a structure to allow individual growth and exploration while working with a diverse group who are serious about what they do. With a state of the art facility, adults are able to excel and achieve their full potential.

As stated before the institute promotes education through spiritual and mental growth. As a religious based institute they want to make sure that adults in attendance gain a spiritual experience as well as an educational one. The Chautauqua institute is well known for its morning lecture series where they invite distinguished scientist, authors, educators, and other experts (Chautauqua, 2014). Along with the lecture series the institute has the “Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle” which aims to promote habits of reading and study in nature, art, science, and in secular and sacred literature (Daniels, 2002). The course of study takes place over a four-year period in which students will read multiple books and published studies and then discuss them with their peers. The first graduating class of the CLSC was in 1884, this is a proud point for Chautauqua and continue carry its tradition today (Daniels, 2002).

Since the Chautauqua Institute was originally founded as a way to teach Sunday school teachers, it is very important to keep worship and spirituality as a foundation of the institute. At Chautauqua, religious faith is perceived, interpreted and experienced as central understanding and expression of social and central values (Chautauqua, 2014). While the institute is non-denominational they do have houses at the center that are dedicated to multiple denominations to express unity and to make sure that no one feels left out. Each week the institute brings in a Chaplin of a different religion so that adults can learn and grow respect for other denominations and their teachings. Along with Chaplins there are interfaith lectures, sacred song services, Abrahamic programs for young adults, clergy programs, etc. (Odland, 2012).  

Finally the last educational perspective at the institute is recreational activities, these activities help adults enjoy their time at the institute. While at the institute adults can take part in a multitude of activities that can help the student relax as well as interact with other adults. Since the institute is located on the edge of a beautiful lake, it is very common for a lot of activities to be water related. Chautauqua states that recreational activities enrich the mind, body and spirit and bring together families and the larger community (Chautauqua, 2014).

While Chautauqua is a religious institution that is focus on help adults explore their spirituality and build their knowledge, there is still a cost related. On average a season adult pass can cost any were from two thousand to four thousand dollars, as you can imagine this is unaffordable for a lot of families. For this reason the type of adult that will visit the institution is that of middle to upper class. As stated it is also a religion based center so those adults who attend visit are usually affiliated with some type of religious denomination. Also learners must be open to the idea and the beliefs of the center in that it is meant for personal growth as well as educational growth.

The Chautauqua institute was founded in 1874 by businessman/inventor Lewis Miller and Methodist minister John Heyl Vincent. The institute was originally founded to help educate Sunday school teachers, so that they could better present information to their students. The institute was originally an educational experiment in out-of-school, vacation learning (Chautauqua, 2014). It was so successful that more subjects were being taught to broaden the amount of people that would find the institution useful. In 1878 The Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle was started to help those individuals who didn’t have the funds to attend college, gain a valuable education. The institute was also intended to show individuals how to spend their leisure time, so that they didn’t have to resort to drinking, gambling, and anything that could violate ones morals. Around the 1880’s the institute had gained a positive reputation around the United States as a credible institute and would host around 100 lectures a season (Chautauqua, 2014).  

Chautauqua plays a unique educational role today, offering studies on a vacation level, a more serious level and a professional level (Chautauqua, 2014). The religious element and experimental learning aspects of Chautauqua provide a unique learning experience that is hard to find anywhere else. In a changing world where religion is constantly being frowned on for its conservative stances, the institute allows those to express their religious beliefs in a leisurely way. Based on the fact that it is 140 years old, the institute is able to use their traditions as a point of pride on how they succeed and continue to innovate education.

Chautauqua’s elegant approach to learning shows that while the main focus is to help adults learn, they also want to help rejuvenates one’s life as well as spirituality. The Chautauqua Institute is not only a center for adult education; it is also a way of life. Chautauqua is a place where adults can relax and learn with others that share the same ideal and morals. As a person who went to Catholic schools throughout my life, I can assure you that there is something different when religion is involved in education.

Summarized Comparison

TED and Chautauqua Institute are two separate entities that are different in a multitude of ways, yet are similar in other ways. Both focus on inspiring and motivating individuals to always do their best. Rather than focusing on teaching adults information they specifically focus on helping adults grow and become better in their area of focus. TED hosts their two annual conferences every year and brings experts that can help each other grow and change attitudes and lives. This is very similar to the Chautauqua summer lecture series, where they also focus on bringing individuals together. These two forms of adult education provide a great outlet for those who use them as a resource and tool to grow. While TED is focused on the technology and ever-changing world, Chautauqua offers more of a traditional type of experience.

	TED	Chautauqua
Locations	Headquartered in New York City and Vancouver.  Has 3 conferences a year: -       TED -       TEDGlobal -       TEDActive,	Chautauqua, New York (Western New York State in the shores of Chautauqua Lake.
Educations Purpose	Through conference lectures (18 minutes max length), online and live, TED’s devotion is within their slogan: Ideas Worth Spreading	Vacation retreat with intent to stimulate and revive participates through experiential learning.
Education Perspective	TED believes passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives, and ultimately communities and the world. Through its clearinghouse of free knowledge from some of the world’s most inspired thinkers, it aims to connect communities of curious people.	Embraces education as a lifelong pursuit. Incorporates to following: -       Art -       Education -       Current Events -       Religion -       Recreation
Learners	The conferences are aimed primarily for members of TED.com.  They must apply to attend and are selected based on their involvement/contributions to the organization.  The online lectures library TEDTalks is open to anyone with online access.	Middle to upper class adult professionals or retirees with a passion for learning through real experiences verses that of  “screen” experiences.
How was the program organized? (aka- how did it first begin)	Began as a yearly conference by founder Richard Saul Wurman in 1984.  Later expanded by curator Chris Anderson.	Chautauqua began as a Sunday School teachers camp in 1874 founded by Methodist minister John Heyl Vincent and businessman/inventor Lewis Miller.
Why were they organized differently / similarly?	TED has a very large online following.  While it holds very large conferences 3 times a year, its most significant global impact is through web based resources and streaming video lectures.  TED is 30 years old and is aggressive in its modern media approach.	The religious element and experiential learning aspects of Chautauqua is a significant difference verses that of TED. Chautauqua is 140 years old and represents U.S. patriotism and embraces old tradition.
Implications	TED is passionate about spreading ideas.  It’s technologically modern approach to using video steaming and short lecture format (18 minute max) makes it a perfect match for our modern tech driven 21st century.	Chautauqua’s elegant approach to learning makes it appear to their participates that they are not only vacationing but rejuvenating and stimulating their souls.

References

Chautauqua Instituted. (2013). Our History. Retrieved March 2, 2014 from http://www.ciweb.org/

Cross, K. P. (1981) Adults as learners. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Daniels, V. (2002) A message and mission for the times, the foundation and growth of the Chautauqua Institute.  Retrieved March 3, 2014 from

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ma02/daniels/chautauqua/idea.html

Darkenwald, G. G., and Merriam, S. B. (1982). Adult education: Foundations of practice. New York: HarperCollings.

Houle, C. O. (1988) The inquiring mind. Norman, OK: Oklahoma Research Center for Continuin Professional and Higher Education, University of Oklahoma. (Original work published in 1961.)

Merriam, S.B., & Brockett R.G., (2007), The profession and practice of adult education. San  

Francisco, CA, Jossey-Bass.

Odland, S. (2012). The magic of Chautauqua. Retrieved March 3, 2014 from

http://www.forbes.com/sites/steveodland/2012/07/09/the-magic-of-chautauqua/

TED conferences, L.L.C. (2014). About TED- history. Retrieved March 1, 2014 from http://www.ted.com/pages/16