Malcolm Knowles
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Malcolm Knowles
According to Malcolm Knowles (1913 – 1997), American educator, andragogy is the art and science of adult learning. Andragogy refers to any form of adult learning. Malcolm Knowles played an important role in determining adult education. He was the first to attempt to create an inclusive theory of adult education and developed that theory throughout this life.
4 Andragogy Principles (Knowles,1984)
Knowles’ 5 Assumptions of Adult Learners
In 1980, Knowles made 4 assumptions about the characteristics of adult learners (andragogy) that are different from the assumptions about child learners (pedagogy). In 1984, Knowles added the 5th assumption.
According to Malcolm Knowles (1913 – 1997), American educator, andragogy is the art and science of adult learning. Andragogy refers to any form of adult learning. Malcolm Knowles played an important role in determining adult education. He was the first to attempt to create an inclusive theory of adult education and developed that theory throughout this life.
4 Andragogy Principles (Knowles,1984)
- Adult learners need to be involved in their own learning (planning and evaluation).
- Instruction should take into account the wide range of different backgrounds of learners; learning materials and activities should allow for different levels/types of previous experience.
- Relevance and impact to learner lives. Adult learners are most interested in learning about things that have relevance and impact in their lives (professionally and personally).
- Instruction should be problem-oriented instead of content oriented
Knowles’ 5 Assumptions of Adult Learners
In 1980, Knowles made 4 assumptions about the characteristics of adult learners (andragogy) that are different from the assumptions about child learners (pedagogy). In 1984, Knowles added the 5th assumption.
- Self-Concept
As we age and mature our self concept moves from one of being dependent to one of being self-directed - Adult Learner Experience
Our accumulation of experience becomes an increasing resource for learning, a reservoir to draw from. - Readiness to Learn
Our readiness to learn becomes increasingly concerned with the developmental tasks of our social roles. - Orientation to Learning
Our perspectives change from one of postponed application of knowledge to immediacy of application. As a result, orientation toward learning shifts from subject-centred to problem-centred. - Motivation to Learn
The motivation to learn becomes internal (Knowles, 1984).
Infographic: https://elearningindustry.com/the-adult-learning-theory-andragogy-of-malcolm-knowles
References
Knowles, M. S. (1984). Andragogy In Action: Applying Modern Principles Of Adult Learning (The Jossey-Bass Higher Education Series). Adult Learning (The Jossey-Bass higher education series), 105, 29994.
Pappas, C. (2018, July 30). The Adult Learning Theory - Andragogy - of Malcolm Knowles. Retrieved from https://elearningindustry.com/the-adult-learning-theory-andragogy-of-malcolm-knowles
Knowles, M. S. (1984). Andragogy In Action: Applying Modern Principles Of Adult Learning (The Jossey-Bass Higher Education Series). Adult Learning (The Jossey-Bass higher education series), 105, 29994.
Pappas, C. (2018, July 30). The Adult Learning Theory - Andragogy - of Malcolm Knowles. Retrieved from https://elearningindustry.com/the-adult-learning-theory-andragogy-of-malcolm-knowles