Understanding Adult Learning Theories

Stephanie Carnie EDU-537 11/22/2023

Understanding Adult Learning Theories

Click this button to read all about Malcolm Knowles 6 principles

What is Andragogy? It is an adult learning theory. Adults need to be involved in formation, delivery, and assessment. Adults need to understand that they can form decisions themselves, and can be self-directed in their learning process (Storm, 2023).

Understanding Adult Learning Theories

• Self- concept- this when the learner decides how, what and when they want to learn. When the learner chooses they become more invested in their learning process and outcomes.
• Adult learner experience-Adult learners can bring their past experiences and apply it to new learning.
• Readiness to learn- Adults will question “What is in it for me?”. Unlike children, adults will be more invested if you can prove the benefit of the learning and if it will have a positive impact on their personal, work or social lives.
• Orientation to learning-The adult learner will take an approach of learning to find things that apply to their personal or work life. There is a shift from subject based learning to problem based learning for adult learners.
• Motivation to learn-Adult learners motivation to learn becomes internal they’re no longer told to learn. Adult learners' motivation comes from self-actualization, self-esteem, and better quality of life.
• Active learning -Malcolm Knowles stated that adult learners sitting through lectures is not the best way for adults to learn. They need to have an active part in the learning process. Examples of these would be; reflecting, group discussions, role playing, and debates. (Storm, 2023).

Malcolm Knowles 6 Principles of Andragogy

Teaching strategies for coaching adult learners: Incorporate MIME the acronym for motivate, inform, monitor and engage. Motivate- Have the adult learner understand the purpose of what they will be learning. Adult learners will be more motivated when they understand the why and reason for their learning. Inform- Adult learners need to learn in their own way. Incorporate different learning styles such as visual, auditory and kinesthetic. Provide activities that will inform the learner in an engaging way such as games, and problem solving. Monitor- Make sure to have the adult learner be respected and encouraged. Show respect, be sensitive to language used, be open minded when someone has a different perspective, and have a caring attitude. Engage- Use experiential learning, this means be open to the adult learners past knowledge and experiences and allow active participation. Provide opportunities to engage the learner through role play, experiments, discussions, or small group activities. (Rassmussen, 2015)

How Principles Apply to Instructional Coaching

Motivation to learning- The child learners are motivated through extrinsic things such as getting good grades, other perks and avoiding failing. (Pappas 2015)

Readiness to learn- The child learner has to be told what to learn and when to learn it.

Orientation to learning- The child learner is subject centered which means the subject leads the way to what they will learn.

The role of learners’ experience- The child learner will need to take the few experiences they have and build on them.

Learning behaviors- The child learner is not self-directed, they need educators to facilitate and motivate their learning.

Motivation to learning- Adult learners have intrinsic value, they learn to improve self-esteem, confidence, and a desire to have a better quality of life.

Readiness to learn- Adult learners' readiness to learn can happen at any time for any reason, such as self-improvement, self-development and advancement.

Orientation to learning- Adult learners want to learn about things that are relevant to their work or personal life.

The role of learners’ experience- Adult learners have far more experiences then a child learner. These experiences can lead the way to their learning process.

Learning behaviors- adult learners are self-directed learners. They have control over what they learn or want to learn.

Starting with the origin of the words andragogy and pedagogy. They are both greek origin. Pedagogy = paidi (child) + ago (guide) Andragogy = andras (man) + ago (guide) Pedagogy is the guide for the child learner and andragogy is the guide for the adult learner.

Pedagogy vs Andragogy

1. Have the adult learner learn content that is beneficial to their needs. Engage them through problem solving and role playing.2. Incorporate different learning styles for the adult learners such as reaching the auditory, visual and kinesthetic/tactile learner.

Andragogy Strategies to Engage the Adult Learner

What is andragogy? It is the adult learning theory. Andragogy is built on the belief that adults are self-directed learners and motivated to learn more than children. While children need to be told how and what to learn. Malcolm Knowles' theories and principles describe how an adult approaches learning. Malcolm Knowles’ principles of andragogy is about how to reach an adult learner. The first principal is self concept, where the adult learner makes their own decision on what to learn. The second principal is the adult learners' experiences, which helps them make connections to their learning. The third principal is readiness to learn, adult learners will ask themselves the question “What is in it for me?”. The fourth principal is orientation to learning, adult learners will choose learning that affects their personal or work life. The fifth principal is motivation to learn, the adult learner needs to have a purpose for learning and want to learn. The sixth and final principal is active learning, the adult learner needs to be engaged in the learning by being an active part of the process. Such as discussing, role playing, or problem solving. These principles are tied to adult learning and are a guide to how adults approach learning. Understanding these principals will contribute to how educators, administrations or professional school members need to be coached, mentored and led. Being in an administrative, or leadership role it is essential to know how to adapt ways of learning for the educators to advance in their teaching methods and careers.

Summary

Pappos, Christopher. November 13, 2015. Pedagogy vs andragogy in elearning: Can you tell the difference. eLearning industry. https://elearningindustry.com/pedagogy-vs-andragogy-in-elearning-can-you-tell-the-difference Rassmussen, Catherine. June 23, 2015. Adults vs. learners: effective teaching strategies. https://www.leadingagemn.org/assets/docs/15_Workforce_103_CreatingEffectiveOrientationPrograms-CRasmussen.pdf Storm, Althea. June 21, 2023. Principles of andragogy: theories, examples and implementation. https://www.thinkific.com/blog/principles-andragogy/

Works Cited