The Meaning of the Word Andragogy

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Introduction The word andragogy means; “the methods or techniques used to teach adults”. (dictionary.com) When looking at 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 learner. The teacher has to understand who they are teaching too and how that student learns the material that is being taught. There needs to be an understanding between the teacher and student on what is expected in the classroom and how the learning objectives can be reached on a level that is understood, analyzed, and retained. The term andragogy looks at this and how adult are supposed to learn. Traditional Learning Context While attending Kent State University, all marketing managers had to take Economics I and II. The class was not an overly big class, maybe holding 20 students. This was an evening lecture class and one that was extremely dry and some would say very boring. The instructor was very dry in his presentation style, voice very monotone, and all his examples were in reference to beer or alcohol. So if he was talking about supply and demand, then his example would be something like; college students want beer and the bars have it so they go to the bars to consume the beer hence lining the pockets of the bars and beer companies. I can understand the reason the instructor used the alcohol reference, he was trying to keep our interest or at least break it down in a way that the students could understand it. The textbook read like stereo instructions and all lecture notes were either written on the board with chalk or with transparencies. The problem with his ex... ... middle of paper ... ...ght. If there is no buy in then there is nothing taken away from the class being taught. We are constantly learning, in the traditional sense and in the non-traditional sense. Who is to say what is right and what is wrong. Each person learns differently. The application of the context needs to be applied to see the true value of the class. Works Cited QOTFC Basic Principles of Adult Learning (2005). Student Supervisors Toolkit Basic Principles of Adult Learning. Retrieved from http://www.qotfc.edu.au/resource/?page=65375. QOTFC: The Clinical Educator's Resource Kit (2013). Adult Learning Theory and Principles. Retrieved from http://www.qotfc.edu.au/resource/?page=65375. Merriam, S., Caffarella, R., & Baumgartner, L. (2006). Learning in adulthood: A comprehensive guide (3rd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

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