Learning Experiences

Andragogy

Orthodox education may be a preparation for life but adult education is an agitating instrumentality for changing life [because it can] train individuals for a more fruitful participation (...) The whole of life is learning, therefore education can have no endings. This new venture is called adult education not because it is confined to adults but because adulthood, maturity, defines its limits.

Lindeman

Though the term andragogy refers to adult education (in comparison to pedagogy, which references to child-leading), "there is no one adult learning theory", but several prevalent theories that all explain methods and principles about how adults learn. (Gutiérrez, 2018)

Defined by Malcolm Knowles, there are five assumptions about the characteristics of adult learners, which sustain these theories. In his point of view, as a person matures..:

Formal & Informal learning activities

We all (adults and kids) can learn from different experiences, formally, informally and, even, unconsciously.

FORMAL LEARNING is any learning experience that is "planned and organized", suited for "stable, long-term interests", Pierce (2014) and Smith (2002) agree. Classroom-based lectures and structured e-learning courses are two examples of this type of learning experiences, which, usually, are "necessarily limited to a single subject-matter area," Smith (2002) aclares.

For Zemke (ND) these "single concept, single-theory courses, that focus heavily on the application of the concept to relevant problems" are the ones adults are more interested in, as they age.

HIDDEN LEARNING consist of all the "unwritten, unofficial, and often unintended lessons, values, and perspectives (...) It is described as 'hidden' because it is usually unacknowledged or unexamined by students, educators an the wider community. And (...) are often accepted status quo." (EdGlossary)

Transformational Learning occurs in the midst of transformative experiences that shift our consciousness and trigger changes in attitudes, perspectives, thoughts and behavioral patterns. Learning takes place when the new meaning is imparted to an earlier experience or an old meaning is reinterpreted and seen in new light. Experiential Learning occurs when sense is made out of experiences. Learning takes place when the learner is directly involved, doing and experiencing the learning (instead of memorizing concepts).

INFORMAL LEARNING are usually of a more transitory and flexible nature. Its topics go from "pure entertainment to serious lectures [and] (...) generally require less commitment of time, money and energy from participants than do organized classes. As a result they are likely to attract people with somewhat less intense interest." (ibid) Examples of this kind of learning experience are clubs, teams, programs, etc.

"[It] is social learning on the fly, offering a more individualized, hands-on approach to learning a job or process. In this case, it’s acceptable to remove the aesthetics in order to provide something that’s more accessible, digestible, and peer to peer versus top down (...) so the best information is supplied and repurposed as needed (...) While it does depend on the environment, there is an underlying level of trust needed," Pierce (2014) arguments.

"The downfall [he continues] of informal training is the potential redundancy in knowledge, as it’s difficult to know ahead of time what concepts trainees are familiar with. An even bigger drawback is inconsistency on the part of the trainer." (ibid)

In Knowles's opinion, formal training "is usually a better instrument for ‘new learning of an intensive nature'", while the informal one "provides the best opportunity for practicing and refining the things learned." (Smith, 2002)

ReferencesBlondy, L (2007) Evaluation and Application of Andragogical Assumptions to the Adult Online Learning Environment In Journal of Interactive Online Learning, Volume 6, Number 2, University of MichiganGutiérrez, K (2018) Adult Learning Theories Every Instructional Designer Must Know In Shift eLearningHidden Curriculum In Matching teaching strategies with adult learning styles maximizes education effectiveness in Strategies for Nurse Managers (SNM)Pappas, C. (2013) The Adult Learning Theory - Andragogy - of Malcolm Knowles In eLearning IndustryPierce, M (2014) Training for the New Year: Formal vs. Informal Learning In TrainingSmith, M. K. (2002) Malcolm Knowles, informal adult education, self-direction and andragogy In the encyclopedia of informal educationThe 4 Adult Learning Elements You Should Include in Your eLearning Courses In Shifte eLearning Weichel, J (2016) What’s their learning style? Part 2: Kinesthetic learners, published by Michigan State University ExtensionZemke, R (ND) 30 things we know for sure about adult learning In Innovation Abstracts, Vol XXIX, Number 4, published by the NISOD, University of Texas at Austin

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