Adult Learning: The Five Key Assumptions of Andragogy

Adult learning: The five key assumptions of andragogy

EWorks:  5.10.2016 by Darcy Nicolson

Knowles and andragogy

Andragogy in Action

Knowles built his andragogical model on a number of assumptions about the way adults learn, and kept refining it. I have seen versions with one more and one less assumption, but his 1984 paper, Androgogy in action (Knowles, S.M., 1984) [sic] he settled on these five, which we will look at now [1].

1. Need to know

Adult learners need to know why they would learn something before they will invest time and attention in a subject.

2. Learner’s self-concept

The adult learner’s self-concept is more independent. Knowles said “In a traditional classroom setting an adult learner will fold their arms and say ‘teach me’”.

3. Role of experience

Adult learners bring bountiful prior experience into a learning environment.

4. Readiness to learn

Readiness to learn is an important factor in adult learning.

5. Motivation to learn

For me the key underpinning success to any learning exercise for anyone, young or old, is the motivation to learn.  READ MORE @