Andragogy: The Study of Adult Teaching

Andragogy refers specifically to the methods and principles used in adult education. It is distinct from pedagogy, which is the approach typically used for teaching children.

Key Principles of Andragogy

• Focus on Adults: Andragogy is the practice and science of helping adults learn.
• Contrast with Pedagogy: Pedagogy traditionally focuses on teaching children, who are seen as dependent learners. Adults, conversely, are typically viewed as self-directed learners.
• Self-Concept: Adults move from being dependent personalities towards becoming increasingly self-directed.
• Role of Experience: The accumulated experience of the adult learner becomes an increasing resource for learning.
• Readiness to Learn: Adults become ready to learn those things they need to know and do in order to cope with real-life situations.
• Orientation to Learning: The orientation of adult learning is task-centred, problem-centred, or jogging-centred, rather than subject-centred.

Therefore, andragogy is fundamentally the study of teaching Adults.