What's Andragogy?

Androgogy is the “art and science of helping adults learn” (Knowles as cited in Merriam, Caffarella, Baumgartner, 2007, p. 84). “Andragogy is based on the following six assumptions about the learner: (1) learner’s need to know; (2) self-concept of the learner; (3) prior experience of the learner; (4) readiness to learn; (5) orientation to learning; and (6) motivation to learn” (Knowles, Holton, & Swanson as cited in Khosrowpour, 2009, p. 1528). It’s important for teachers of adults to incorporate these assumptions to be successful. It is also important for the learner to be in a position with these assumptions that is conducive to learning. When instruction does not consider androgogy, it can be ineffective. This paper will examine an unsuccessful lesson, and then using androgogy, will provide suggestions to achieving success in this same lesson.

Traditional Learning Context

The purpose of the lesson was to teach college instructors how to use a web-based platform to record their students’ attendance. Previously, teachers had handwritten their attendance in a folder and submitted it to the registrar for electronic posting. The registrar presented this new way of posting attendance on campus, in a lecture room, in a mandatory meeting, for all of the faculty. The registrar used a PowerPoint presentation with screenshots to show the web-based program while lecturing.

He started by introducing the new attendance recording policy and the use of “Quad”, the web-based platform, instructors already used for teaching in a blended environment (online and on campus components). “Quad” is very similar to the website we are using for this class. The PowerPoint presentation had screen shots of the attendance tab in Quad that no ins...

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...ogogy includes accommodations for the adult learner that allows their education to be self-directed, purposeful, and applicable. Adult learners in this environment want to take responsibility for their learning and are eager to use their new skills. In a traditional context, adult learners can be bored and left with the feeling that their time has been wasted. When considering the principles of androgogy, a traditional learning context can be adjusted to best reach the adult learner successfully.

References

Khosrowpour, M. (2009). Encyclopedia of Information Science and Technology. Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference.

Knowles, M. S. (1975). ADULT EDUCATION: NEW DIMENSIONS. Educational Leadership, 33(2), 85.

Merriam, S., Caffarella, R., & Baumgartner, L. (2007). Learning in adulthood: A comprehensive guide (3rd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.