Overview of Adult Learning Theory
Many of us have years of experience in pedagogy; developing and delivering instruction to children of various ages. However when working with adults, there are a number of specific strategies that have been found to be particularly effective that differ from pedagogy. Adults bring a new set of needs and expectations when they attend training or other professional development experiences. So much so that a field of study that looks at adult learning theory has been developed and is called Andragogy. |
Malcolm Knowles (1998) and Adult Learning Theory
- Adults need to know the reason for learning something (Need to Know).
- Experience (including error) provides the basis for learning activities (Foundation).
- Adults need to be responsible for their decisions on education; involvement in the planning and evaluation of their instruction (Self-concept).
- Adults are most interested in learning subjects having immediate relevance to their work and/or personal lives (Readiness).
- Adult learning is problem-centered rather than content-oriented (Orientation).
- Adults respond better to internal versus external motivators (Motivation).