Androgody The Study Of Adult Learning
Understanding Adult Learning
Abstract
The topic that will be discussed throughout this paper is the concepts of adult learners and the best ways adult learners, learn. The primary focus will be on Malcolm S. Knowles and his theory of how adults learn. The six basic assumptions according to Knowles are: Need to know, self-concept, life experience, readiness to learn, orientation to learning and motivation to learn. Adults and children have differing life experiences and therefore, should be taught in a different manner. Also, adults have a much different motivation to learn than children. Learning in an adult is much different than for children. Educators should take these assumptions into consideration when teaching adults. However, the term “adult” comes into question when trying to make a determination of the ideal age to begin implementation of Knowle’s basic conceptual framework for learning.
Andragogy is a term that has been around since at least 1833 when it was first used by Alexander Kapp who was a German school teacher. It was later popularized in 1975 Malcolm Shepherd Knowles when he set out to define how adults learn. He defined it as an art and science of helping adults learn (Gould, 2010). This commentary will attempt to examine the basic principles of adult learning by discussing how they can be applied to adult learners. It is also very important to dissect what Knowles refers to as five assumptions of adult learners, helping us better understand why that is essential for educators to be knowledgeable of learning styles. We will also define Knowle’s four principles of andragogy and why these concepts are needful if we hope to reach an adult audience of learners.
Malcolm Shepherd Knowles (1913–1997) was an American educator well known for the use of the term Andragogy as synonymous to the adult education. According Malcolm Knowles, andragogy is the art and science of adult learning, thus andragogy refers to
Abstract
The topic that will be discussed throughout this paper is the concepts of adult learners and the best ways adult learners, learn. The primary focus will be on Malcolm S. Knowles and his theory of how adults learn. The six basic assumptions according to Knowles are: Need to know, self-concept, life experience, readiness to learn, orientation to learning and motivation to learn. Adults and children have differing life experiences and therefore, should be taught in a different manner. Also, adults have a much different motivation to learn than children. Learning in an adult is much different than for children. Educators should take these assumptions into consideration when teaching adults. However, the term “adult” comes into question when trying to make a determination of the ideal age to begin implementation of Knowle’s basic conceptual framework for learning.
Andragogy is a term that has been around since at least 1833 when it was first used by Alexander Kapp who was a German school teacher. It was later popularized in 1975 Malcolm Shepherd Knowles when he set out to define how adults learn. He defined it as an art and science of helping adults learn (Gould, 2010). This commentary will attempt to examine the basic principles of adult learning by discussing how they can be applied to adult learners. It is also very important to dissect what Knowles refers to as five assumptions of adult learners, helping us better understand why that is essential for educators to be knowledgeable of learning styles. We will also define Knowle’s four principles of andragogy and why these concepts are needful if we hope to reach an adult audience of learners.
Malcolm Shepherd Knowles (1913–1997) was an American educator well known for the use of the term Andragogy as synonymous to the adult education. According Malcolm Knowles, andragogy is the art and science of adult learning, thus andragogy refers to