The Andragogical and Pedagogical Approach to Education
The Andragogical and Pedagogical Approach to Education
According to Wikipedia, andragogy is a teaching theory (or model) developed for adult learners. The term has been used differently at times and the meaning has varied based on country of use. However, many of today’s educational professionals in the United States, to include Malcolm Knowles, define andragogy as a teaching theory of self-directed adult learners with teachers as facilitators of the learning activity.
The term andragogy was originally conceived by a German teacher, Alexander Kapp, in 1833 (Wikipedia). Andragogy was developed into a theory of adult education by Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy and later popularized by Knowles in the 1970s. In essence, andragogy is a model of teaching that is learner-centered.
Pedagogy on the other hand, as defined by the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, is the art, science, or profession of teaching. The word comes from the Greek παιδαγωγέω (paidagōgeō); in which παῖς (país, genitive παιδός, paidos) means "child" and άγω (ágō) means "lead", when translated means "to lead the child". This is an educational model that is more teacher-centered.
Further research indicates that pedagogy has two definitions: the science or profession of teaching, and a Greek derivation of the art and science of teaching children. Andragogy, as stated above, is defined as the science of teaching adults.
For many who work in the field of adult education andragogy and Malcolm Knowles are synonymous. Knowles tended to lean towards the direction of a humanistic adult education approach emphasizing autonomy, active cooperation, and self-direction as the focus to learning (Elias & Merriam, 2005). These are some of the characteristics of the andragogical approach.
To better understand these educational theories, let us compare and contrast both the andragogical and pedagogical approach as it applies to both the educator and the learner. However, before moving forward there is a key
According to Wikipedia, andragogy is a teaching theory (or model) developed for adult learners. The term has been used differently at times and the meaning has varied based on country of use. However, many of today’s educational professionals in the United States, to include Malcolm Knowles, define andragogy as a teaching theory of self-directed adult learners with teachers as facilitators of the learning activity.
The term andragogy was originally conceived by a German teacher, Alexander Kapp, in 1833 (Wikipedia). Andragogy was developed into a theory of adult education by Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy and later popularized by Knowles in the 1970s. In essence, andragogy is a model of teaching that is learner-centered.
Pedagogy on the other hand, as defined by the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, is the art, science, or profession of teaching. The word comes from the Greek παιδαγωγέω (paidagōgeō); in which παῖς (país, genitive παιδός, paidos) means "child" and άγω (ágō) means "lead", when translated means "to lead the child". This is an educational model that is more teacher-centered.
Further research indicates that pedagogy has two definitions: the science or profession of teaching, and a Greek derivation of the art and science of teaching children. Andragogy, as stated above, is defined as the science of teaching adults.
For many who work in the field of adult education andragogy and Malcolm Knowles are synonymous. Knowles tended to lean towards the direction of a humanistic adult education approach emphasizing autonomy, active cooperation, and self-direction as the focus to learning (Elias & Merriam, 2005). These are some of the characteristics of the andragogical approach.
To better understand these educational theories, let us compare and contrast both the andragogical and pedagogical approach as it applies to both the educator and the learner. However, before moving forward there is a key
References: Andragogy. (n.d.). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved October 30, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andragogy Elias, J.L., and Merriam, S.B. (2005). Philosophical Foundations of Adult Education, 3rd ed. Malabar, FL: Krieger. Knowles, M.S. (1980). The modern practice of adult education, from pedagogy to andragogy. The Journal of Technology Studies. Retrieved November 2, 2013, from http://www.hospitalist.cumc. columbia.edu/downloads/cc4_articles/Education%20Theory/Andragogy.pdf Wlodkowski, R.J. (2008) Enhancing Adult Motivation to Learn, A Comprehensive Guide for Teaching All Adults, 3rd ed. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Florida Technet, (2013) Pedagogy vs. Andragogy [Table 1.1]. Retrieved November 1, 2013 from http://www.floridatechnet.org/inservice/abe/abestudent/andravsped.pdf Prashar, A.G., (2013) Andragogy vs. Pedagogy [Figure 1.1]. Retrieved November 2, 2013 from https://www.lucidchart.com/community/examples/view/48ad-1920-521cfdf1-bdb9-7c4c0a00c900