Malcolm Knowles' principles of andragogy

Coaching Strategies

Application to Instructional Coaching

Andragogy vs Pedagogy

Malcolm Knowles' Principles of Andragogy

The 5 Assumptions

Engagement Stragegies for Adult Learners

References

byAmy SIms2024

The 5 Assumptions of adult learners

1. Self-concept: adults have moved towards being self-directed vs being reliant on outside factors 2. Learning experience: adults have a wealth of schema to draw on when learning something new 3. Readiness to learn: adults willingness to learn leans towards developing social roles or tasks 4. Orientation to Learning: adults are (generally) learning things to help solve problems in a timely fashion relative to their roles or tasks 5. Motivation: adults tend to be internally motivated (Pappas, 2013)

Andragogy

"The art and science of adult learning" (Pappas, 2013)Andragogy is about everything teachers do to help adults learn. Thier motivations and readiness will be different from children.

Pedagogy

"pedagogy is focused on helping children to learn" (Killian, 2019). This includes everything that teachers do when helping children (specifically) learn (Killian, 2019).

Strategies for Coaches

The following is a list of strategies that can be used in a Professional Development setting that will encompass the 5 principles of andragogy.

• Include participants ideas, knowledge, and needs in planning (The RethinkEd Team, 2017)
• Provide real world examples
• Allow time to share personal experiences
• Clarify, break down, and synthesize information (The RethinkEd Team, 2017)
• Persue action research
• Encourage and include reflection

References

• 15 top strategies for teaching adult learners. (2024). University of SanDiego: Professional and continuing education. https://pce.sandiego.edu/15-top-strategies-for-teaching-adult-learners-faqs/
• Killian, S. (2019). Pedagogy: What is it & why matters? Evidence-based teaching. https://www.evidencebasedteaching.org.au/pedagogy/.
• Pappas, C. (2013). The adult learning theory – andragogy – of Malcolm Knowles. eLearning industry. https://elearningindustry.com/the-adult-learning-theory-andragogy-of-malcolm-knowles
• The RethinkEd Team. (2017). Strategies for instructional coaching. RethinkEd. https://www.rethinked.com/resources/strategies-for-instructional-coaching/

Application

Understanding Malcolm Knowel's principles of andragogy has real practical application because instructional coaches work directly with adults. In order to create content that is worthwhile and to cultivate relationships that are meaningful, having a basic understanding of andragogy is necessary. It gives tools to the instructional coaches that will help them meet the unique needs of the adult learners they are working with. In turn, they will have the knowledge needed to keep participants engaged, motivated, and will give value to the knowledge they are bringing with them.

Keeing adult learners engaged

Adult learners have more of an internal motivation to learn new things. It is imortant to them that their knowledge, thoughts, and time are being considered. The following lists a few strategeis coaches can use to help keep participants engaged.

• Make sure the information is relevant
• Share stories
• Honor their knowldege
• Create, try, and reflect together
• Ask for and provide feedback
• Be encouraging, flexible, and honest

(15 top strategies for teaching adult learners, 2024)