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Malcolm Knowles's Andragogy Theory

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Introduction
Adult learning is the complete range of formal, non-formal and informal learning activities majorly undertaken by adult learners. Mainly, the process is often done to adults who have taken a break for a while after initially completing early education and training. The end process is the acquisition of knowledge and skills. The method may take place even beyond schooling from the tertiary level. The process is often diverse, and it makes a lifelong learning process, and the whole experience is heterogeneous and complex. The adult learner setting takes place within a variety of ranging settings, including a partnership between local authorities, training and community education. In the private sector, informal courses may …show more content…

Due to the developmental tasks of adult roles in the society, the adult matures, and he/she becomes prepared to learn.
• Orientation to learning: Learning here is problem-centered, meaning adults want to apply new learning immediately in response to the social needs and challenges.
• Motivation: Adults learn because of the internal, rather than external factors. As learners mature, the motivation to learn is intrinsic (Kearsley, 2010).
History of the Development of Andragogy Theory.
“Malcolm Knowles (1913-1997) Andragogy Theory.”
Henry states that the term andragogy was first introduced by Malcolm Knowles, who was an authorized American educator of Adult education. The term referred to “man led” rooting from the word “ped” meaning child. The term, therefore, was an antonym of the word pedagogy. According to Knowles, andragogy is the art and science of the adult education process. Thus the term fits any form of adult learning (2011). Malcolm Knowles, there were suggestions that he set about adult learners which include:
• Setting a cooperative environment for adult learning in the classroom
• Assessing the adult learner’s major needs and interests
• Developing adult learning objectives based on the learner’s interests, needs, and skills

How the Ideas and concepts of Andragogy can be applied in the curriculum development
Educators concerned with the adult unit ought to be equipped with the concepts of the adult learning theory that

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