A theory of adult learning, distinguished by Malcolm Knowles from child-directed pedagogy, holding that adult learners are self-directed, bring accumulated experience to bear on new learning, and are motivated by problems relevant to their own lives. Knowles introduced the term into English-language adult education from 1968 onward, though the word itself was coined earlier, by the German educator Alexander Kapp in 1833.
Facts
Core ClaimAdults learn most effectively as self-directed participants who draw on their own experience, apply learning to social and work roles, and are motivated by immediate, performance-oriented relevance rather than subject-centred instruction alone. 2 Origin YearMarks Knowles''s introduction of the term to English-language adult education; the word ''andragogy'' itself was coined earlier, by the German educator Alexander Kapp in 1833. Classification
Education Level FAQs
Is andragogy an established learning theory, and did Knowles think it applied only to adults?
It is contested whether andragogy is a theory or a set of principles, and Knowles later treated it as a continuum shared with pedagogy.
There is no international consensus on whether andragogy is a learning theory or a set of principles, characteristics or assumptions about adult learning. Knowles himself changed his position on whether andragogy applied only to adults. He came to believe that pedagogy and andragogy represent a continuum from teacher-directed to student-directed learning, and that both approaches are appropriate with children and adults, depending on the situation.
Connections
Associated With
Knowles' assumptions about self-directed, experience-driven adult learners draw on humanistic psychology.
Source Wikipedia: Andragogy
Developed By
Source infed, the encyclopedia of pedagogy and informal education
Additional Source WikipediaAndragogy, lead section
In Approach
Knowles drew directly on humanistic psychology, especially self-direction and intrinsic motivation.
Source infed, the encyclopedia of pedagogy and informal education
Includes
Source Wikipedia: Andragogy
Long-Form Articles
Sources
1. Andragogy (Wikipedia)
Andragogy refers to methods and principles used in adult educationView the Source 2. eLearning Industry
eLearning Industryelearningindustry.com/the-adult-learning-theory-andragogy-of-malcolm-knowles, timeline section
Knowles' groundbreaking article, 'Andragogy, Not Pedagogy' (1968), along with his subsequent books, clearly defined the assumptions and principles that transformed adult education.
elearningindustry.com/the-adult-learning-theory-andragogy-of-malcolm-knowles, core assumptions section
Adults like to be in charge; experience is a resource; relevance is everything; adults seek solutions that solve real-life problems; motivation to learn is internal.
View the Source Wikipedia
Wikimedia FoundationAndragogy, lead section
Andragogy (Greek: 'man-leading') should be distinguished from the more commonly used term pedagogy (Greek: 'child-leading').
Andragogy, Knowles's theory
It later became very popular in the US by the American educator Malcolm Knowles.
Andragogy, History
The term was originally coined by German educator Alexander Kapp in 1833.
View the Source infed, the encyclopedia of pedagogy and informal education
Malcolm Knowles page, alternate naming
the art and science of helping adults learn as against pedagogy as the art and science of teaching children
Malcolm Knowles page, term derivation
While the concept of andragogy had been in spasmodic usage since the 1830s, it was Malcolm Knowles who popularised its usage.
Developed By: Malcolm Knowles, Malcolm Knowles page, attribution
it was Malcolm Knowles who popularised its usage for English language readers
In Approach: Humanism, Malcolm Knowles page, humanistic influences
extensive use of a model of relationships derived from humanistic clinical psychology, and, in particular, the qualities of good facilitation argued for by Carl Rogers
In Category: Learning Theory and Concepts, Malcolm Knowles page
the art and science of helping adults learn as against pedagogy as the art and science of teaching children
View the SourceWikipedia: Andragogy
Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: Pedagogy, Andragogy, lead section, pedagogy distinction
whereas 'pedagogy' literally means 'leading children'.
Includes: Malcolm Knowles, Andragogy, Knowles's theory
It later became very popular in the US by the American educator Malcolm Knowles.
In Group: Adult Education and Lifelong Learning Concepts, Lead
Andragogy refers to methods and principles used in adult education.
View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.