ANDROGOGY or ADULT LEARNING THEORY
Adult learning theory or androgogy was introduced into the learning community by Malcom Knowels. Knowels was an educator that studied at Harvard and worked at many prestigious universities. His start in adult education was while working at the YMCA . This passion lead to his 1980's hallmark work on androgogy or adult learning theory.
Humanism, Social, Cognitive, and Constructivist
INVOLVED
Adults need to be involved in the planning and evaluation of their instruction.
An adult educator should help facilitate peer reviewing and editing.
PROBLEM-CENTERED
Adult learning needs to be problem-centered rather than content oriented.
An adult educator should focus on what problem the students can solve rather than what books to read and theories to learn.
EXPERIENCE
Adults need to experience learning including mistakes this provides the basis of a learning experience.
An adult educator should make experience accessible to learners and show proven progress from mistakes.
RELEVANCE
Adults are interested in learning about things that have immediate relevance to their job or personal life.
An adult educators should take heed in assignments that aren't directly related to the learner.
"I'm involved in my own planning of school projects by being allowed to pick my own topics." -Sam, Adult Learner
“By peer editing and receiving comments on projects I learn from experience. ” - Sam, Adult Learner
“By being able to apply the projects I make in class to my portfolio. I feel like school is so relevant to my ability to find a job!” -Sam, Adult Learner
"By being able to apply the projects I make in class within my own job, I have created a lot of solutions for our training program." -Sam, Adult Learner