Andragogy: The Cornerstone of Adult Education Essay

Andragogy recognises that adults demand to learn things that are relevant to them, and relevant to their life experiences rather than assuming they know nothing (Atherton, 2005). Hence as time progressed ‘A’ became less dependant on me and was able to self direct his learning , in turn increasing his confidence and enhancing his community experience by spending time with other disciplines to enable him to achieve the university set competences.

Delpit gave an example which showed that with some guidance students can construct their own knowledge in a way that they understand and teachers can use this understanding to plan new activities. This example shows exactly how teachers acting as guides, who foster thinking, are beneficial in the learning process for students.

This paper is a research on Malcolm Knowles topic “andragogy”. Knowles describes andragogy as the art and science of adult learning. Andragogy focuses on special needs od adults learners, he classifies these need into six different categories: (1) need to know, (2) self- concept, (3) prior experience, (4) readiness to learn, (5) learning orientation, and (6) motivation to learn.

The adult learning theory Also known as andragogy is the concept of Adult learning as a science in the field of education. Created by Malcolm Knowles , the theory is comprised of four different concepts. A fifth concept was later added by Knowles. within these different concepts, Knowles set forth compilation of expectations for educators within the Adult Education community. Firstly, he suggests setting a corporative climate in the classroom for learning. (Knowles, 1984, p.76) An assessment of the learners needs and a compilation of objectives and educational activities to help learner reach needs

The world of adult learning was changed by Knowles’ (1973) when he identified four assumptions about andragogy, meaning “the art and science of helping adults learn” (Knowles, 1970, p. 42). These assumptions are: self-concept; experience; readiness; and orientation. Knowles later added two more assumptions; the critical need to know, and motivation (Knowles, Holton & Swanson, 2015; Knowles, 1980). Knowles’ second assumption, experience, plays a significant role for individuals to create, retain and transfer knowledge based upon prior knowledge and skill, (Argote, McEvily & Reagans, 2003, p. 575). I will search for evidence on how the elements of Knowles’ theory align with the knowledge retention and engagement.

The six principles of andragogy should be applied to how the curriculum for adult learning is created. Providing lessons that adults enjoy and can relate to is what will draw in students to the class. Also, it will be very beneficial to not only the adults, but the school as well. A study by a private liberal arts college was held and using a pre test-post test-control-group design, andragogy was tested against traditional instruction type teaching. After conducting the research it was concluded that there was no significant differences between the two different types of teaching.

Learning is a universal language, spoken by all and mastered by many. However, just as world languages vary in complexity, elements and uniqueness, learning theories are vastly diverse. The adult learning theory, also known as androgogy, demonstrates the unique and complex way that adults learn. The theory “reaches a worldwide audience” (Henschke, 2011), as the growing presence of adults on college campuses indicates these learners are no longer viewed as “non-traditional” (Ross-Gordon, 2011), but rather are becoming more of the norm in the undergraduate student body. Recent social and economic forces have greatly

Andragogy means that understanding of the science and practice of adult learning (Graham, 2017). Andragogy is considered as a way of identifying how adult learners develop

Which clarifies why Malcolm Knowles first started marking his work in grown-up training as andragogy in the late 1960's (Knowles,1980). Knowles found through his work with grown-ups that educators expected to think about the real premiums of learners as opposed to concentrating on what teachers accepted were learners' intrigues (Carlson,1989). As Knowles would see it (1980; 1984) the best instructive encounters were helpful, guided cooperations between the instructor and learner with numerous accessible assets. Amid these encounters, the educator manages the learner to build up his or her own potential (Carlson, 1989). Taking into account his own perceptions Knowles (1980; 1984) added to an arrangement of five suppositions that concealed his idea of andragogy.

Pedagogy is in the field of educating children and Andragogy is in the field of helping adults learn that is just one of the similarities. Andragogy is in the field of teaching or educating people of all ages and Pedagogy is in the field of educating children and thats quite a similarity there. The differences are that with Pedagogy teachers are responsible for the learning and with Andragogy the adults learn on their own, they have their own motivation to learn. They learn on their own with Andragogy and with Pedagogy they have to be taught. It's all tied together with lifelong learning, just wanting and having the ability to learn. That's why I'm taking online classes so i can have the ability to learn. Everyday is a learning experience but at least in college you get a degree and more knowledge then if you didn't go to college.

As an educator, it is my role to teach as well as learn. The role of a teacher allows me to experience both Andragogy and Pedagogy. “Andragogy” is “the art and science of helping adults learn "where as “Pedagogy is the art and science of teaching children” (Knowles, 1984, p. 13). In my profession, it is a daily task to teach concepts to children. Children are generally, teacher directed learners meaning, they are always looking to the teacher to guide them in their learning. They seek out answers and need direction to what they will be learning and what activities are provided to solidify the learning concept. This is quite different than the self directed, or the adult learner. According to Caruso (2011), adults learn by performing

Pedagogy focuses on educating children. In pedagogy, teachers decide what will be learned, how it will be learned, and why it is important that it be learned. Teachers are in charge of the learning process. This is a more controlled learning environment, making it more effective in children than in adults. A controlled learning environment can cause resentment and cause the learner to not want to learn because they can't learn on a level that is comfortable and effective for them. Andragogy was first only focused on helping adult learners. One belief listed in the adragogic model is that learners won't learn until they are ready and motivated by overcoming restrictions such as behaviors, beliefs, and learning. Andragogy is embraced by Bethel University and its professors. Besides learning being the focus of both styles, there aren't many

Malcom Knowles theory, andragogy, as cited by Chan, (2010), has six components: “self-concept; role of experience; readiness to learn; orientation to learning; internal motivation; and need to know,” (Chan, 2010, pp 27-28). These six components are applied when an adult seeks education. There are many places and fields that this theory has been applied to help individuals beyond their adolescent years succeed in their training and learning experience, (Chan, 2010). It has been suggested that adults learn more effectively when they are given concise direction and still have the freedom to apply

Andragogy is the study of the art and science of how adults learn (Reischmann, 2000). The military is comprised of adults that must be constantly trained to the highest of proficiencies in combat and non-combat supporting roles. In the military, the personnel responsible for conducting training are noncommissioned officers, which are soldiers between the ranks of corporal and sergeant major. Noncommissioned officers must know their soldiers and be able to train them to the high levels of efficiency required to successfully conduct their missions. Noncommissioned officers must practice and use andragogy regularly to continue training junior soldiers.

Pedagogy is how kids learn and andragogy is how adults learn. In today world not so much. With me taking online classes that is andragogy, but I have gone to other schools and I was learning in the pedagogy format. Also kids to have started home schooling online by themselves so that would be andragogy. So both of them are very different but the same. So to me pedagogy is learning around teacher based. This means the teacher is the center of attention and then the children or adults, the learners, come second. The teacher decides how, what, and when something will be learned. Andragogy to me is learning around the learner based. This means I am the center of attention, or who ever is learning. With andragogy learning you learn when you want to learn. So to me they are so similar but so different. The only way I see they are similar is they are both a way of teaching and they can go towards adults and kids either way. I think the difference though is as adults we can learn better with andragogy, because we have the experinces and the