What Is Andragogy?
Despite the widespread use of andragogy methods, the term is often ignored due to the abundance of academic theories and buzzwords. According to its most formal definition, andragogy is the scientific study and application of adult education and learning. Malcolm Knowles, an American educator, popularized the word. Knowles sought to stress andragogy as the proper term for adult learning, and said that it differed from pedagogy and the two are not to be interchanged.
It has been observed that adult learners frequently allude to a senior student demographic, even though andragogy serves all demographics in higher education. Institutions are implementing adult learning theory into their teaching methods to assist this demographic. However, how does the learner gain from this implementation? Here are six ways that andragogy helps adult learners:
- Self-Actualization: Students gain a sophisticated awareness of who they are as people and learners.
- Interpersonal Relationships: Students cultivate deep connections with teachers and their peers.
- Viewpoint: Students cultivate a flexible and dynamic attitude toward their education.
- Awareness: Students better comprehend the information, enabling them to investigate in-depth and solve problems.
- Empathy: Students acquire a philosophical viewpoint and a comprehension of the human condition, which creates empathetic professionals.
- Social Responsibility: Students understand their power to influence others and advance their careers.
Any student can benefit from a well-rounded academic experience, particularly one based on research-based andragogy. However, institutions and educators must understand their motivations to instruct adult learners effectively.
What Is Pedagogy?
Pedagogy is a teaching method in which educators teach children in theory and practice. Because learning methods and culture are connected, pedagogy is shaped by educators' teaching beliefs and involves their understanding of culture and different learning styles.
The primary goal of teaching is to build on students' prior knowledge while focusing on their skill and attitude development. Through pedagogy, students can understand the subject comprehensively and apply what they have learned outside the classroom.
So, what does pedagogy in teaching mean? It refers to a teacher's understanding of how students learn. The teacher's primary goal is to make the syllabus relevant to the students' needs by engaging them. The teacher-student interactions profoundly affect the students' minds.
Through pedagogy, teachers can learn the most effective classroom methods. By understanding how students learn and process information, they can adjust their classes to meet the needs of various students. This will raise the standard of instruction and how the pupils react to it.
The term "teacher pedagogy" describes a pedagogy focused on the instructor providing the most significant course material. Regardless of their teaching philosophies, the instructor must use this technique to give students accurate information appropriately. In addition to providing a clear picture of the pupils' progress in their learning, the teacher can serve as a successful role model for the students to look up to and learn from.
Effective pedagogy can help teachers meet each student's needs, create better classroom relationships, and improve learning results. Inquiry-based learning, constructivism, collaboration, integration, and reflection encourage critical thinking, teamwork, and participation. When used carefully, pedagogy enhances teaching quality and promotes inclusive, individualized, and meaningful learning experiences for every student.
Differences Of Pedagogy Vs Andragogy In eLearning
The terms "andragogy" and "pedagogy" are of Greek origin, both including the Greek verb "ago", which means "guide", and the Greek words "andras" (man) and "paidi" (child) respectively. Thus:
Pedagogy = paidi (child) + ago (guide)
Andragogy = andras (man) + ago (guide)
From the above, you can conclude that pedagogy is a child-focused teaching approach, whereas andragogy is an adult-focused teaching approach. In other words, pedagogy is the art and science of helping kids learn, whereas andragogy is the art and science of helping adults learn.
Before 1950, all research was focused on children, and there wasn't much evidence about how adults learn. The term "andragogy," although known since 1833 when the German Alexander Kapp used it to refer to a theory of Plato, appears in modern education only after the early 1960s. It was used to express the distinct characteristics of adult learners that affect not only their learning motivation, but also their learning ability, compared to those of children. Understanding these differences is critical for Instructional Designers, as engaging and motivating adult learners is undoubtedly challenging. In the section below, we'll share the differences between andragogy and pedagogy, so you can ensure you know everything you need to create motivational content and structure, whether you create eLearning courses for adults or children.
Pedagogy Vs Andragogy: 5 Main Differences
Here, we list the differences between these two practices to help you understand them better and apply them correctly to your needs.
1. Learning Βehavior
Most adults are self-directed learners; they have control over their learning experience and are 100% responsible for their learning. They are also deeply involved in planning and evaluating their education, as they know what knowledge they want to acquire. Adults learn differently compared to younger students, who are not self-directed and depend on their teachers throughout the learning process. Therefore, their teachers should be responsible for what will be taught and how it will be evaluated.
2. The Role Of Learners' Experience
Adult learners have more experience than young learners. Their experience becomes the leading resource of both their learning and the personal identity they have developed, as the more prosperous and diverse their experience, the more diversity they can bring to their learning. On the other hand, young learners present little personal experience by default, so this experience can't serve as a learning resource; it can only be used to build upon.
3. Orientation To Learning
What kind of knowledge are adult learners most interested in? Naturally, adult learners seek information that will be useful for them in their personal lives and work environments. Teaching adults requires that their learning be relevant to their real-life issues, problems, and tasks, and that their education boosts their performance levels and helps them live their lives better. Teaching children, on the other hand, is subject-centered, meaning that the subject determines the sequence according to which the learning content units will be presented and taught.
4. Readiness To Learn
Adult learners' readiness to learn can be triggered by literally anything: a sudden change in their lives, a need to deal more successfully with life tasks and problems, the desire for self-improvement and self-development, and so on. Adults need to know why to learn something; as soon as they answer this question, they are ready to start. On the other hand, children are usually told what to know; their learning develops their skills to achieve the next level of mastery.
5. Motivation For Learning
What motivates adults to find time for their learning in their busy schedule? The only factors motivating adult learners to learn are mostly intrinsic: self-esteem, self-confidence, desire for a better quality of life, curiosity, self-development, and recognition. Needless to say, intrinsic motivation is more powerful than extrinsic motivation. Adult learners, more often than not, are more satisfied with the learning process, more focused, more persistent, and more eager to apply their knowledge more frequently and successfully than younger learners. On the other hand, children and teenagers are motivated mainly by extrinsic factors, such as getting good grades or other perks, or avoiding the consequences of failure.
Andragogy can be highly motivational. Adult learners are more goal-oriented than younger learners, so offering them meaningful learning experiences can make a real difference in achieving learning outcomes.
Now that you've familiarized yourself with the pedagogy vs andragogy debate, you may be interested in learning how to apply the principles of adult learning to your eLearning deliverable. Read the article 9 Tips To Apply Adult Learning Theory to eLearning and find out how to integrate the four principles of andragogy into your eLearning course for maximum engagement and motivation of your adult audience.
