Adult Learning Theory

Presented by: Anthony LemonsCED505

Andragogy The term originally coined by Alexander Kapp,

a German educator in 1833. It was first introduced to English speakers in

1926 by Eduard Linderman. Andragogy as a study of adult learning

originated in Europe in the 1950’s and was then pioneered as a theory and a model of adult learning from the 1960’s by Malcolm Knowles, an American practitioner and theorists of adult education, who defined andragogy as “the art and science of helping adults learn”.

Malcolm Knowles (1913-1997) was an American educator well known for the use of the term “Andragogy” as a synonymous to the adult education.

Malcolm S. Knowles

There are several definitions of Andragogy. Adragogy is a theory that holds a set of

assumptions about how adults learn. Andragogy emphasizes the value of the process of learning. It uses approaches to learning that are problem-based and collaborative rather than didactic, and also emphasizes more equality between the teacher and the learner.

What is Androgogy?

Knowles’ Six Assumptions

The Need To Know

Self Concept

Experience

Readiness To Learn

Orientation to Learn

Motivation To Learn

Pros Cons

Students are motivated by internal/ external motivation.

Problem solving skills may differ among adults from different cultures, causing problems among group members during activities.

Self-Directed Learning is a reflective and action-oriented process.

Since Self-Directed Learning is unstructured and independent, it is easy for students to become unproductive.

Learning can be linked with other students.

Difficulty balancing accomplishing the work with learning from the work.

Critics Argue

Knowles, Malcolm S., Elwood F. Holton III, and Richard A. Swanson. (1998) The Adult Learner

Houston: Gulf Publishing

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Reference