Andragogy — The Adult Learning Difference
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Andragogy is known by many different names. It is oriented towards adults, who tend to learn differently based upon what they want to know. Unlike children, adults tend to be task-oriented, self-directed, and seeking knowledge relevant to their job or life. Adults also tend toward informal education, that being outside the classroom, and are more likely to develop life long learning habits.
The concept isn’t new, although many people may be familiar with the term because of Malcolm Knowles, and his work to create a learning theory specific to adults. The term “andragogical” was first coined by Alexander Kapp in 1833 in his work to describe the education theory developed by Plato. However, the term was not in widespread use in the United States until Eduard Lindeman used andragogy in his book, “The Meaning of Adult Education”, published in 1926. Lindeman was a major contributor to adult education research.
Most adult educators are more familiar with the work of Malcolm Knowles, who despite Lindeman’s work, is often considered the father of what we know today as Adult Education.
The question then is, “What is adult education?” What makes education or learning specific to adults?
