Digital Professional Development
Learning Objectives:
Andragogy
Andragogy is any intentional and professionally guided activity that aims at a change in adult persons, also known as adult education, as described by Knowles, Holton, and Swanson (2015). Adult learners usually have a wealth of experience, both personally and professionally. When it comes to learning, they need to know what they are learning, why, and how it will improve their current situation. The andragogical model is based on six assumptions that are the antithesis of pedagogy, which makes the teacher fully responsible for making all decisions about the learning experience.
The Six Andragogical Assumptions
The andragogical model is based on six assumptions:
- The need to know- Adults need to know why they need to learn something before committing to learn it. When adults decide to learn something on their own, they will invest more of their time, effort, and energy into finding out what benefits they will gain from learning it and the negative consequences of not learning it.
- The learners' self-concept- Adults believe they are responsible for their own decisions and for their own lives. This self-concept develops into a need to be recognized by others and treated as being capable of self-direction. They resent and resist being put into situations in which they feel others are imposing their will on them.
- The role of the learners' experiences- Adults enter into an educational activity with a greater amount of and different quality of experiences than that of younger students. Although this can be beneficial in most situations, in adult education this can have negative effects. As we gain experience, we tend to develop mental habits, biases, and presuppositions which can cause us to become close-minded.
- Readiness to learn- Adults ready themselves to learn things they need to know and do in order to handle real-life situations. The importance of timing is critical of this assumption because timing learning experiences must coincide with those developmental tasks.
- Orientation to learning- Adults are life-centered (or task-centered) in their orientation to learning as opposed to children who are subject-oriented. Adults are motivated to learn to the extent that they perceive it will help them performs tasks or deal with life situations.
- Motivation- Adults respond to some external motivators like better jobs, promotions, etc., but they are motivated the most by internal pressures like increased job satisfaction, self-esteem, quality of life, etc.
Andragogy in Practice
I used the theory of andragogy in the creation of my instructional video by making sure it was geared towards my target audience—adult teachers. For example, I addressed the first assumption by explaining why I made the video and how it will help them turn a normally boring subject into something the students can enjoy and make into their own. Although I am “instructing” these adult teachers by on how to use creative ideas for the project, I’m not teaching “at them.” By using the second assumption I was able to adjust my tone and approach in the video. I addressed the third and fourth assumptions by telling the teachers to bring their personal experience to the project to show their creative side by making an example to show students. Obviously, by them watching the video it shows their readiness to learn what I am teaching and how it is relevant to their job. The fifth assumption is also covered by what I’m teaching being relevant to their job, which can benefit the student(s) who are resistant to learning the traditional way. I address the sixth assumption by giving those watching the video examples of how using creativity can only benefit them by making their job of teaching literary elements more enjoyable and rewarding.
Video Tutorial About Andragogy in Practice
This is a video tutorial about andragogy and how it has guided my instructional video on using creative ideas to teach literary elements. The video is a good supplement to this workshop because it provides more in depth information and explanation.
Instructional Video
This instructional video is an example of teaching that is guided by the andralogical assumptions. The video instructs adult learners how to incorporate creativity into teaching various literary elements to their students.
Assessment
This is a brief quiz to assess your understanding of the material in this workshop. Please answer each question using the information you have learned about Andragogy. Don't forget to enter your first and last name and click "submit."
RESOURCES
Knowles, M. S., Holton III, E.F., and Swanson, R.A. (2015). The Adult Learner: The definitive classic in adult education
and human resource development. (8th ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.
and human resource development. (8th ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.