1. William G. Huitt Last Revised: June 2004
Adult Learning
William G. Huitt
Last Revised: June 2004

2. Overview
Adult learning as a field dates to first several decades of educational psychology
1st book published – 1928
Much of findings based on theory, research design,and instrumentation developed for use with children and youth

3. Andragogy
Knowles (1968)
Independent self-concept; can direct own learning
Accumulated reservoir of life experiences (rich resource)
Learning needs closely related to social roles
Problem-centered; immediate applicability
Motivated to learn by internal rather than external factors

4. Andragogy
Critics
Knowles’ description is what adults should be like, not how they are
Some of these characteristics are true for children and youth

5. Andragogy Knowles’ revised thinking
Adult curriculum should reside on continuum teacher-directed student-centered
Appropriateness depends on individual and contextual demands
Internal goals External goals
Immediate use Expertise Credentialing
Simple skills/concepts Complex skills/concepts
Good self-direction skills No self-direction skills
Significant domain know Little domain know.

6. Andragogy Definition Science – Study of the process of adult learning
Discipline – Paradigm and knowledge of adult learning
Technology – Practice of adult education

7. Andragogy
Andragogy as a science, discipline, and technology overlaps with pedagogy
Pedagogy
Andragogy
Generic

8. Andragogy Context is an important factor
Must be guide to practice if field is to be useful beyond the generic or general approach to teaching and learning

9. Self-Directed Learning
Self-selected goals
Self-planned route
Self-regulated activity
Philosophy of SDL
Andragogy should result in better self-functioning adults (humanistic approach)
Transformation learning and critical reflection are vital components
Emancipatory learning and social action shoud be built into learning process

10. Self-Directed Learning
Stage Self-Directed Learning\
Developed by Grow
Considers readiness for and comfort with SDL
SDL skills already developed
SDL skills goal of learning experience
There has been a steady decline of research and articles on SDL since the 1980’s

11. Adult Learning Major issues Is andragogy a separate field of study?
Is self-direction a characteristic of adult learners or a goal?