Andragogy: The Adult Learning Theory (original) (raw)
The fundamental process that facilitates the survival and adaptation of human beings is ‘learning’. Each learner has their individual learning needs. Since an adult learner is not an oversized child learner, therefore researches of child learning and pedagogical principles cannot explain theories of adult learning. Adult Learners have their own distinct and unique characteristics. They are mature, independent, possess wealth of knowledge and experiences. Hence there have to be theories of adult learning. American educator Malcolm Shepherd Knowles ‘founding father of adult learning’ worked extensively on Andragogy-the theory of adult learning and is credited to making Andragogy synonymous to adult education. Knowles Andragogical theory of adult learning clearly brings out the distinction between the adult and the child learner. Adult learning (andragogy) is 'education of equals' (facilitator and learner) as opposed to child learning (pedagogy) 'education from above' (teacher and student). The Article explores the distinction between Andragogy & Pedagogy, various andragogical assumptions, principles of adult learning and components of andragogical process design that encompass the Theory of Adult Learning.
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