Adult Learning Essay

446 Words2 Pages
Malcolm Knowles publicised the term Andragogy to define and explain Adult learning conditions. According to him Adult learning is based on 5 premises: 1. Self-concept: As a person matures his self concept moves from being a dependent to being a self-directed human being. 2. Experience: As a person matures his accumulated experiences becomes an increasing resource for learning. 3. Readiness to learn: As a person matures his readiness to learn becomes oriented increasingly to the developmental tasks of his social roles. 4. Orientation to learning: As a person matures his time perspective changes subject-centeredness to one of problem centeredness. 5. Motivation to learn: As a person matures the motivation to learn is internal. Difference between Andragogy and Pedagogy: 1) Pedagogy is the art and science of teaching children. Andragogy is the art and science of helping adults. 2) In Pedagogy, learners are called “students” and people delivering instructions are called “instructors” or “teachers.” In Andragogy, learners are called “participants” or “learners” and people delivering instruction are called “facilitators” or “trainers.” 3) Pedagogy is a controlled methodology in which the objectives are predetermined and inflexible. Learning style is dependent on the instructor and is centred on technical content provided by the Instructor which accounts for low motivation. Andragogy is loosely structured where objectives are flexible and the learning style is independent and participative adapted to real-life problems contributed by the learners. 4) Pedagogy uses Passive training methods, such as lecture and demonstrations. Andragogy uses active training methods, such as exercises and role plays. 5) In Pedagogy the Instructor controls time, pace and content on learning matters as students are considered with little experience and dependent
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