IRENE IANCU KERRY-ANN PAISIBLE

MIKE BARNES

What Makes Us All Different Learners?

Andragogy

Online Lesson 1/4

Todays Topics:

What is Andragogy?Where did the term come from?What is associated with the theory?Where do we go from here?

Take a Guess!What is

Andragogy?

The Adult Learning Theory

The Individual Learning Theory

The Child Learning Theory

The Group Learning Theory

SORRY TRY AGAIN…

YOU ARE CORRECT!

What is Andragogy?

The Adult Learning Theory

Malcolm Shepherd Knowles (1913-1997) was an American educator well known for the use of the term Andragogy as synonymous of Adult Education.

According to Malcolm Knowles, Andragogy is the art and science of adult learning, thus it refers to any form of adult learning.

The term andragogy can be supposedly equivalent to the term pedagogy which from its Greek roots meaning “Child Leading” which has been used since ancient Greek times while andragogy stemmed in 1833 by German educator, Alexander Kapp.

So what does this mean? Is it more than a fancy word?

Knowles’ 5 Assumptions Of Adult Learners

In 1980, Knowles made 4 Assumptions about the characteristics of adult learners that are different from those of the child learners. 4 years later Knowles added a 5th assumption.

1. Self-concept• As a person matures his/her self concept moves from one of being a dependent

personality toward one of being a self directed human being.2. Adult Learner Experience• As a person Matures he/she accumulates a growing reservoir of experience that

becomes an increasing resource for learning.3. Readiness to Learn• As a person matures his/her readiness to learn becomes oriented increasingly to the

developmental task of his/her social roles.4. Orientation of learning• As a person matures his/her time perspective changes from one of postponed

application of knowledge to immediacy of application, and accordingly his/her orientation towards learning shifts from one of subject- centeredness to one of problem centeredness.

5. Motivation to Learn• As a person matures the motivation to learn is internal

NOW THAT’S DETAILED!

NOW HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT ADULT LEARNERS NEED?

WOW!

Knowles’ 4 Principles Of Andragogy

In 1984, Knowles suggested 4 principles that are applied to adult learning:

1. Adults need to be involved in the planning and evaluation of their instruction.

2. Experience (including mistakes) provides the basis of the learning activities

3. Adults are more interested in learning subjects that have immediate relevance and impact to their jobs or personal life.

4. Adult learning is problem-centered rather than content-oriented

That’s GREAT! … but what does this mean?

There is a need to explain the reasons specific things are being taught (commands, functions, operations, etc.)

The adult learner needs and wants to know WHY!

Instructions should be task-oriented instead of memorization- learning activities should be in the context of common tasks to be performed by others.

More Tips Please!

Instructions should take into account the wide range of different backgrounds of learners;

For example, learning materials and activities should allow for different levels/types of previous experience with computers.

Since adults are self-directed, instructions should allow learners to discover things and knowledge for themselves without depending on people.

This will be provide guidance and help when mistakes are made

Quiz Time!

True or False1. The 5th and last characteristic of adult learning is

Motivation to Learn

As a person matures the motivation to learn is internal versus external

Try it again..

Good JOB!

Question 2

True or False Adults don’t really like to be apart of the planning and

evaluation of their instruction.

Try it again..

Good JOB!

Question 3

True or FalseInstructions should be task-oriented instead of memorization.

Try it again..

Good JOB!

Question 4

True or FalseAs we mature we use experiences

accumulated as resources for learning .

Try it again..

Good JOB!

THIS CONCLUDES THE INTRODUCTORY SECTION OF THE ADULT LEARNING

CHAPTER

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL THE ADMINISTRATORS OTHERWISE CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK WITH

THE REMAINDER OF THE SECTIONS

End of section 1/4