andragogy

[ an-druh-goh-jee, -goj-ee ]

noun

1. the methods or techniques used to teach adults:

   Many educators believe that the principles of andragogy, as advanced by Malcolm Knowles, have great relevance to adult education; others are not so certain.

Other Words From

• an·dra·gog·i·cal [an-dr, uh, -, goj, -i-k, uh, l], an·dra·gog·ic adjective
• an·dra·gog·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of andragogy¹

First recorded in 1925–30; andr- + (ped)agogy; -agogue, -y ³

More About Andragogy

What does andragogy mean?

Andragogy refers to the methods used to teach adults.

Although college and university students are often considered adults because they are over age 18 or 21, adults in this context typically refers to those who have already completed their initial course of formal schooling.

The word andragogy is usually used in contrast with pedagogy, which is the art or science of teaching in general, especially as it relates to teaching children in school. Andragogy is typically used as academic jargon. In everyday conversation, the term adult education is more common.

Example: Andragogy should take adult students’ life experience into account, since it will inform how they learn things.

Where does andragogy come from?

Andragogy is made up of the Greek roots andr- (“man”) and -agōgos, (“leader”), making it literally mean “leader of man.” The first record of andragogy in English comes from the 1920s, but it is based on a German term, Andragogik, that was introduced by German educator Alexander Kapp in 1833.

Andragogy typically involves teaching adult learners in a formal setting, but the subject matter could be anything: traditional academic subjects, recreational activities, personal skills, and so on. Of the many different theories about the best way to educate adults, the teachings of U.S. scholar Malcolm Knowles are the most well-known. Knowles taught that adult learning methods should be based on the idea that adults are self-directed (they set their own goals), that they want to know why something is important to learn (how it can be applied in real life), and that they need to learn through experience (by doing).

While these conclusions are often incorporated into adult education programs, scholars debate whether teaching methods specifically designed for different age groups are effective or necessary. Still, due to the popularity of lifelong learning and adult education, andragogy is a frequently discussed topic among educators.

Did you know ... ?

What are some words that share a root or word element with andragogy?

• androcentric
• android
• pedagogy
• anagoge

What are some words that often get used in discussing andragogy?

 

• teaching
• adult education
• motivation
• lifelong learning

How is andragogy used in real life?

Andragogy is often used along with other educational jargon. In everyday discussion, especially by noneducators, the term adult education is more commonly used.

Superb experiential and data driven primer on lifelong learning. Andragogy, sequenced education, identify dissonance between a learner's actual and perceived knowledge.
Reinvigorating Continuing Medical Education: Meeting the Challenges of… https://t.co/fRNxGtRKC0

— xavier prida (@XavierPrida) December 28, 2019

When we think about how andragogy and pedagogy are different we can see that andra. is developed w/the acknowledgment that adults bring more 1st hand knowledge + life experiences to the table than any adolescent, and that adults require real life application rather than practice.

— 𝘿𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝘽𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙 (@000Dave) December 22, 2019

Pedagogy is for children; andragogy is for adults. Applying andragological techniques to our PDs has made them very popular!

— 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗺 (@kab_graham) January 5, 2020

 

 

Try using andragogy!

True or false?

The field of andragogy teaches that there is only one correct way to teach adults.