Andragogy
(Adult Learning Theory)
Table of Contents
What is Andragogy and why it matters?
Andragogy, in its simplest form, is the study of how adults learn. Malcolm Knowles is famous for bringing this analysis of adult learning to the United States around the 1950s.
Unlike pedagogy and child-oriented learning, Knowles focused on what made teaching adults different from teaching children. These differences make up the core of modern adult learning theories.
Knowles developed Six Assumptions about Adult Learning
Overview: Why am I doing this and why do I need to know this material?
Overview: Adult learners tend to be more aware of their own responsibility for learning new things
Overview: Adult learners have a wide variety of experiences.....use them to help learning!!
Overview: If the material is relevant adult learners tend to be more ready to learn
Overview: Adult learners tend to prefer authentic learning experiences
Overview: Activating intrinsic motivation works the best
The difference between Adult and Child Learning
While many differences exist between pedagogy (child learning) and andragogy (adult learning) there is one major difference that stands above the rest.
On average, a situation involving pedagogy requires a more elaborate structure and constant involvement on the part of the instructor.
Adult Learning vs Child Learning
Link to example: Adult vs Child Learning Example