1.4.8.Adult Learning (Andragogy)

Unit 1

1.4.8.Adult Learning (Andragogy)
Malcolm Knowles is the theorist who brought the concept of adult learning to the fore. He has argued that adulthood has arrived when people behave in adult ways and believe themselves to be adults. Then they should be treated as adults. He taught that adult learning was special in a number of ways. For example,
  • Adult learners bring a great deal of experience to the learning environment. Educators can use this as a resource.
  • Adults expect to have a high degree of influence on what they are to be educated for, and how they are to be educated.
  • The active participation of learners should be encouraged in designing and implementing educational programs.
  • Adults need to be able to see applications for new learning.
  • Adult learners expect to have a high degree of influence on how learning will be evaluated.
  • Adults expect their responses to be acted upon when asked for feedback on the progress of the program.

Last modified: Tuesday, 28 June 2011, 8:26 AM