Edward Lindeman is thought by many to be the founder of contemporary adult education. His work in the area of adult education included the writing of articles, books, public presentations, assistance in the collegiate system as a lecturer of social work and as an associate pastor in the church (Brookfield, 1986). Lindeman and Martha Anderson traveled to observe and analyze the German Folk High School system and the worker’s movement. Consequently, Lindeman and Anderson’s comparative research lead to the breakthrough of the German perception of andragogy. Their studies defined andragogy as the “true method of adult learning” (1986). In 1968 at Boston University, the initial use of the term “andragogy” to attain prevalent notice of adult instructors occurred when Malcolm Knowles—who at the time was an instructor of adult education—presented the term via journal article. In his 1970 book publication, he defined “andragogy” as the art and science of helping adults learn. The concept of self-directed learning, or SDL, maintained below reveals Knowles’ definition of SDL:
“In its broadest meaning, ’self-directed learning’ describes a process by which individuals take the initiative, with our without the assistance of others, in diagnosing their learning needs, formulating learning goals, identify human and material resources for learning, choosing and implement appropriate learning strategies, and evaluating learning outcomes.” (Knowles, Holton, Swanson, 2011, p. 18)
The main interest in the above definition of SDL is the point the learner acquires 1) the ingenuity to engage in a learning experience, and 2) the accountability for finishing their education (1986). After the learner has a sense of readiness, it is his or her final ...
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...elopment of his ideologies and he is inclined to be explanatory instead of systematic or detailed. This is undoubtedly a suitable evaluation. A straightforward example of this may be seen from the fact that andragogy is still defined in the 1984 publication in terms of facilitating adults’ education although he has altered his position twice since the time when he in fact did define the subject in this fashion (2011). Knowles has been a modernizer, acting in response to the requirements of the subject as he observed them, per se, he has been a fundamental character in the development of the study and procedure of adult learning all over the Western world this era. Nevertheless, perchance it would be reasonable to state that both his methods and his procedure have exemplified his personal assessment system and that this is confined within his designs of andragogy.
Self-directed or independent learning is a strategy which focuses on giving responsibility for students in their own learning. McInerney et al. (2015) state that this strategy is likely well-suited to teach adult learners since adults are autonomous learners. The example of applying this strategy in learning is by giving a project to students that lasts over several days and this is largely unsupervised. This is often employed by university lecturers when they give assignments to their students.
Adults are self-motivated. They learn best by building on what they already know and when they are actively engaged (Lindeman, 2010). The approach of adult education revolves around non-vocational ideals and is based on experience rather than subjects (Lindeman, 2010). It helps adults gain knowledge about their powers, capacities, and limitations (Funnell et al, 2012).
What is andragogy? Andragogy consists of a theoretical model of six assumptions that was developed by Malcolm Knowles in order to “distinguish adult learning and adult education from other areas of education” (Mirriam, Caffarella, & Baumgartner, 2007, p. 83). And so, andragogy might also be defined in terms of the efforts of “multiple researchers and scholars” (Henschke, 2011, p. 35) searching for a way to “establish andragogy as a proven theory and strong method for teaching adults” (Henschke, 2011, p. 35). But why is the topic of andragogy important for both adult learners and teachers? It is important because in order to effectively teach adult learners we must first “be cognizant of the differences which adult students bring to the classroom” (Schultz, 2012, p. 1) and to also understand that among adult learners, there exist “varying expectations and reasons for learning” (Schultz, 2012, p. 1). Andragogy is more¬over important to adult learners and teachers because both “learners and educators alike can use [it] to strengthen the learning transaction” (Mirriam et al., 2007, p. 84). With this brief definition of andragogy, along with the corresponding reason for its importance in mind, what now follows is what this paper is going to be about. The topic of this paper is an evaluation of whether or not the traditional learning environment is conducive to learning for adult learners as opposed to the andragogical environment. And the dual purpose hereof is to first briefly relate my own personal experience in a traditional learning context (under the heading of a ‘Traditional Learning Environment’), and then to reflect upon whether or not that traditional context (this time under the heading of ‘Andragogy Reflection’) i...
The main interest in the above definition of SDL is the point the learner acquires 1) the ingenuity to engage in a learning experience, and 2) the accountability for finishing their education. After the learner ha...
Learner’s self-concept: The second principle self-concept of the learner relates to autonomy and self-directedness of the
Creating my own individual learning plan to address my unique learning needs is a type of learning is called Self Directed Learning (SDL). SDL is defined as a “process in which individuals take the initiative, with or without the help of others, in diagnosing their learning needs, formulating learning
Malcolm Knowles in the 1970’s popularised the androgogy as a concept through his book, The Modern Practice of Adult Education. The term was already in use in Europe and referred to both the practical aspects of adult teaching and learning and also referred to the academic study of adult education.
This paper begins with andragogy as being “the art and science of helping adults learn” (Kowles, 1980, p. 43; Mirrian, Caffarlla, and Baumgartner, 2007, p. 84). Bedi (2004) concluded that “[a]ndragogy facilitates the understanding of student behavior in the teaching relationship, provides a theoretical reason for teaching behavior and is a guiding philosophy for how to manage the learning environment towards an effective outcome” (p. 97); this is the source and resources of power for the teacher and the student. In addition and according to Mirriam, Caffarella, and Baumgartner (2007)—Hiemstra (1993, p. 42) stated, “Power consists of a combination of such external resources. . . as family support, social abilities, and economic abilities. It also includes various internally acquired or accumulated skills and experiences contributing to effective performance, such as resilience, coping skills, and personality” (p. 94). It is within the context of no family support, social abilities, and economic abilities, as a student, I lacked these powers that unchartered my course within educational requirements, thus, became A None-Conducive Situation That Did Not Help My Learning.
Analysis: having been through the adult learning experience I have realised the roll of learner and teacher in this approach. An effective teacher can facilitate the development of independence, self confidence, learning satisfaction and help students (the learner) to critical think. This experience has taught me that there are different styles of learning and teaching that I can adopt in my future.
Teaching the adult student is a great and unique responsibility; Andragogy preaches that teaching the adult learner takes a certain skill set and approach in order to be highly effective. The adult teaching theory and approach is based off the characteristics of the adult student. Andragogy views the adult learner as a very highly motivated student, a student ready and prepared to learn, and a student that comes to class with expectations of learning (Knowles 1984, pg12). With such a capable learner in the classroom the teacher must make the necessary adjustments. When teaching the adult learner, the teacher will have respect for their students and respect the fact that each student will have their own individual learning style. The teacher will also allow the adult student to experie...
“(Having a continuous learning experience from the age of 5) is generally not the case for the adult learner who may not have been involved in a formal education experience for some time and whose knowledge and expectations of education may only be based on their own school experience. Equally, the adult re-entering the education system at any level has many more outside responsibilities and pressures than the younger FE or HE student.”
Within the andragogical model described by Knowles, Holton, and Swanson (2015), adults need learning experiences that are different than those found in the pedagogical model. Instead of waiting for experiences that are directed and controlled by a teacher, adults need to have a clear rationale and understanding for the learning, feel past experiences are valuable, and have a developed internal system for motivation in order to help a learning experience be successful. The connection and orientation to the learning task, the readiness to learn, and self-concept are other important ideas to adult learning.
Self-concept of the learner- Adult learners are naturally self- directed which means they will take ownership of what and how to learn and how to manage their time and learning.
Take initiative – Initiative it means having a new plan, new ideas or new procedures in solving a problem or something difficult or simple. This is the main and the most usable aspect of self-directed concept. The self-directed student should always starts learning without wait external forces from outside. Do not wait for someone outside to encourage your learning. The initiative starts from ones personal step.
Adult learning does not occur in a vacuum. What one needs or wants to learn, what opportunities are available, the manner in which one learns-all are to a large extent determined by the society in which one lives. Whenever adults are asked about their learning, they most often mention education and training programs sponsored by the workplace, colleges and universities, public schools, and other formal organizations. They first picture classrooms with “students” learning and “teachers” teaching in a highly structured format. Yet when we ask these same adults about what they have learned informally over the last year, they typically respond with descriptions of learning activities outside these formal settings. They discuss, for example, remodeling a house, which has involved everything form reading and talking...