Abstract

In the early 1970s, when andragogy and the concept that adults and children learn differently was first introduced in the United States by Malcolm Knowles, the idea was groundbreaking and sparked a great deal of research and controversy. Since the earliest days, adult educators have debated the essence of andragogy. It is a transactional model that speaks to the characteristics of the learning transaction, not to the esoteric goals and aims of that transaction. Thus, andragogy is applicable to any adult learning transaction, from community education to human resource development in organizations. Care must be taken to avoid confusing core principles of the adult learning transaction with the goals and purposes for which the learning event is being conducted. Adult education professionals should develop and debate models of adult learning separately from models of the goals and purposes of their respective fields that foster adult learning.

Learning objectives

Learners will be able to:

1. Describe a brief history of andragogy.
2. Identify key factors related to adult learning.

Definition of Andragogy

A set of core principles of adult learning that in turn enables those designing and conducting adult learning to build more effective learning processes.

Strengths:

• Ability to apply principles to all adult learning situations

Critiques:

• Too much focus on individual adult learning
• Not enough focus on goals of adult education
• Incomplete in terms of learning decisions

Principles of Andragogy Infographic

Brainstorming

How do children learn vs. how do adults learn?

Reflection Questions

1.1           What are your general thoughts on how humans learn?

1.2           Based on personal experience, what key factors are related to adult learning?

1.3           Why is Andragogy in Practice (Figure 1-1) presented as a holistic learning model?

1.4           If you understood more about how adults learn, how would you use this information in your day-to-day life?

1.5           If you understood more about how adults learn, how would you use this information in your work as an educator/teacher/trainer?