Abstract

Until recently, there has been relatively little thinking, investigating, and writing about adult learning. This is a curious fact considering that the education of adults has been a concern of the human race for such a long time. Yet for many years, the adult learner was indeed a neglected species. In the seventh century in Europe, schools were organized for teaching children, primarily for preparing young boys for the priesthood. Hence, they became known as cathedral and monastic schools. Beginning with the founding of the American Association for Adult Education in 1926, and the provision of substantial funding for research and publications by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, two streams of inquiry are discernible. It is interesting to note that Lindeman did not dichotomize adult versus youth education, but rather adult versus “conventional” education. Some of the most important contributions to learning theory have come from the discipline of psychotherapy.

Learning objectives

Learners will be able to:

1. Distinguish between the two streams of inquiry, scientific and artistic.
2. Discuss how the social sciences have contributed to andragogy.
3. Discuss how adult education has contributed to andragogy.
4. Identify the differences between pedagogy and andragogy.
5. Illustrate examples that demonstrate the principles of andragogy.

Discussion Questions

Which do you think is older: children or adult teaching process?

What is the teacher’s role in adult education? Does experience make a difference in adult learning process?

Definitions

Pedagogy: The art and science of teaching children. It is derived from the Greek “Paid” meaning “child” and “Agogus” meaning “leader of”. It is the organizational basis for today’s American educational system.

8 Ages of Man Infographic

Reflection Questions

2.1           From your own experience, think of a situation that clearly illustrates pedagogy and one for andragogy.

2.2           What is the underlying perspective that Carl Rogers brings to the understanding of adult learning?

2.3           Reflect on one of Lindeman’s five key assumptions about adult learners.

2.4           How has clinical psychology contributed to andragogy?

2.5           How has adult education contributed to andragogy?

2.6           For each of the six andragogy model assumptions, report on a personal experience that highlights and supports that assumption.

2.7           How does the andragogical model fit with your own learning style?