Embedded Files
What is Andragogy?
What is Andragogy?
(Pronounced: and-druh-go-gee)
Did you know that adults learn differently than children? Andragogy is the process of helping adults learn; whereas pedagogy is the process of teaching.
Did you know that adults learn differently than children? Andragogy is the process of helping adults learn; whereas pedagogy is the process of teaching.
Adult learners have specific needs that have to be considered. This module will explore the theory behind adult learning, techniques to increase active (vs. passive) learning, and how to identify barriers to learning.
Learning objectives
Learning objectives
Adult learning theory
Comparing active vs. passive learning
Overcoming learning barriers
Types of Students
Types of Students
Typically, it is best practice to avoid stereotypes. However, when it comes to best supporting the student in front of you, it's good to have context into what might be their motivation for going to college.
Typically, it is best practice to avoid stereotypes. However, when it comes to best supporting the student in front of you, it's good to have context into what might be their motivation for going to college.
Remember, these are generalizations and the students you serve might not fall into any of these categories.
Remember, these are generalizations and the students you serve might not fall into any of these categories.
Running Start
Individuals participating in the Running Start program are students who are taking college courses while still in high school. Typically, the age of these students range from 16-18 years old.
These students are typically familiar with a more behavioralist approach coming directly from K-12 instruction. Running Start students range from being highly motivated and high achievers to floundering in their new sense of freedom.
Traditional Age
Traditional-age students refers to students who are taking college courses right after completing high school. Ages range from 18-25 years old.
These students are typically familiar with a more behavioralist approach coming directly from K-12 instruction. Sometimes traditional-aged students can seem unmotivated if they feel like they are being forced to go to college to fulfill societal norms when they haven't quite discovered their career interest.
Non-Traditional Age
Non-Traditional students are typically returning to college after spending a significant time in the work force or taking care of family, etc.
These students may have some college experience, or none at all. Typically, non-traditional students have a very specific mindset about college and look at is as a mission to be fulfilled. On top of studies, non-traditional students are more likely to be balancing work, family, and other priorities, which is an added barrier to success in education.
Why do adult learners need to understand what they are learning?
Why do adult learners need to understand what they are learning?
If the student is going to school for a general transfer degree, do they really need that entry level chemistry class?
If the student is going to school for a general transfer degree, do they really need that entry level chemistry class?
Perhaps not, however, almost every degree requires credits in natural science, quantitive reasoning, humanities, and communication. Why is this? Interdisciplinary studies (taking courses in multiple disciplines/subjects) teaches students to adapt to changing environments, develop creativity, master oral or written communication skills, analyze data, and work in groups. All of these are global skills that show future employers that the individual has been exposed to these kinds of environments and can adapt on the job.
So maybe the student you are working with has zero plans on becoming a chemist anytime soon. However, taking an entry level chemistry class will teach them to adapt to new environments, analyze data, and work in groups. And all of these skills are transferrable to future careers. This added perspective might be all it takes to help the student stay motivated through completion of the course.
How does what the student is learning apply to their previous life experience?
How does what the student is learning apply to their previous life experience?
For example, if the student worked in retail for several years but is struggling to understand fractions or decimals, try relating the problems to money!
If the student is writing a paper for an English course but has never written a paper before, what topics might interest them? Pulling from their life experience might help them feel confident about a topic that will inspire them to want to do research and want to share their knowledge on paper.
What is motivating the student to earn a credential or college degree?
What is motivating the student to earn a credential or college degree?
Maybe they need to earn this credential to obtain a job that will allow them to support their family; the list of reasons here can be endless. If a student is struggling to stay motivated, it might be in the tutors best interest to find out what is motivating the student to be there, rather than focusing on creative ways of explaining a concept to a student that the student has no interest in learning about. Sometimes people just need an external reminder of why they are in school in the first place to help them get past whatever hurdle is thrown their way.
Helpful phrases
"As frustrating as this class may seem right now, you are going to feel so accomplished when you complete it!"
"I'm sure you've overcome harder situations than this class. You are already on the right path having asked for help, if you keep this up you'll be done in no time."
Helpful phrases
"Tell me a little more about what you did before starting college, maybe we can find a way to make this topic apply to your previous experience!"
Helpful phrases
"This may feel really frustrating now, but I promise you if you keep up the hard work all of this will be worth it when graduation comes around!"
"Nothing worth doing is ever easy. Sure it may seem impossible now, but if you keep up with tutoring appointments and using your instructor's office hours you will have proven you can do anything you set your mind to in ten short weeks!"
Active VS. Passive Learning
Active VS. Passive Learning
Passive Learning
Passive Learning
Passive learning means that students aren't as involved in the learning process. Typically this means the student is just listening or reading about a subject.
Pros
Pros
The teacher is able to deliver a lot of information on a certain subject in a short amount of time. There is no time wasted on discussions or interactive activities.
Cons
Cons
Passive learning disempowers the student and makes the teacher the focus of the learning environment. The student might feel "dumb" not understanding the material.
Active Learning
Active Learning
Have you ever discovered something and you couldn't wait to learn more about? Maybe it sparked you to do some research, or, you were able to apply it to your personal life. Did you discuss it with your friends, family, or subject-area masters to deepen your understanding even further? That is active learning!
Pros
Pros
It facilitates divergent thinking (big-picture thinking) over convergent thinking (there is only one right answer or solution).
It provokes intrinsic motivation (“I want to learn because I’m interested.”) over incentive or extrinsically motivation (“I want to learn this because I will get a degree at the end.”)
Cons
Cons
Without proper planning and classroom management, active learning can be derailed quickly by distractions or tangents.
Students may not be familiar with active learning and might be nervous to engage in active learning strategies. Proper planning and facilitation can help counter any anxiety or negative attitudes.
Knowledge is Power
Knowledge is Power
You don't know, what you don't know.
You don't know, what you don't know.
Tutors have the unique opportunity to empower their students with this knowledge. It can be easy for adult learners to give up or lose motivation due to feeling like an outcast because of their non-traditional age or by having too many competing responsibilities. However, the more tutors can open the dialog about adragogy, the more empowered individuals can become knowing they aren't alone in their experience and how they learn.
Assessment
Assessment
Page updated
Report abuse