How does the learning of children and adolescents differ from that of adults? What is andragogy and what are its principles? How can the principles of andragogy be used to improve adult learning?
Adult learning (andragogy) is fundamentally different from teaching children (pedagogy). Adults are self-directed learners who bring prior experiences into the learning process. They learn best when the content is relevant to their lives and work, when they are intrinsically motivated, when they understand the reason for learning, and when learning is problem-centered and collaborative. Adults also prefer to control the pace and direction of their learning and value practical application of knowledge.
The role of the instructor in adult learning is less like a traditional teacher and more like a “facilitator,” who guides the learning environment, encourages interaction, provides choices and opportunities for practice, uses real-life examples, and sets appropriate levels of challenge. Applying these principles increases engagement, relevance, personalization, confidence, transfer of skills, and long-term retention.
