What is the difference between an adult learner and a youth/young learner? While both groups have similarities, they also have differences that make teaching adults and teaching youth two very different pursuits. In this paper we will explore the similarities and differences between the two groups and how we, as educators, should respond. We will also investigate the concept of whether you are an adult learner or a young learner, learning is learning.
First, we will look at two principles used when discussing adult learners versus youth learners: andragogy and pedagogy. Malcolm Knowles, a theorist of adult education, defines andragogy as the art and science of helping adult learners. He also identified six principles of andragogy:
• Adults …show more content…
In pedagogy learners are told what they need to learn in order to advance to the next level of learning. In andragogy there are various factors in the learners readiness to learn. These include: a change in life, the need to improve an aspect of the learner’s life, and the desire to learn to bridge a gap between where they are and where they would like to be (educational technology and mobile learning).
Pedagogy and andragogy differ in orientation to learning as well. Pedagogy allows that learning is a process based on prescribed subject matter and presented in a logical sequence. Andragogy claims learning must be relevant to real-life and is organized around real-life situations as opposed to sequential subject matter (Educational Technology0.
Finally, pedagogy and andragogy have different motivations for learning. Pedagogy claims young learners are motivated to learn because they are told to learn and they are expected to learn. They have the expectation that their learning will help them in the future. While andragogy claims that adult learners have internal motivators such as to meet goals or to obtain a better way of life (Unit 1: The Adult
First, we will look at two principles used when discussing adult learners versus youth learners: andragogy and pedagogy. Malcolm Knowles, a theorist of adult education, defines andragogy as the art and science of helping adult learners. He also identified six principles of andragogy:
• Adults …show more content…
In pedagogy learners are told what they need to learn in order to advance to the next level of learning. In andragogy there are various factors in the learners readiness to learn. These include: a change in life, the need to improve an aspect of the learner’s life, and the desire to learn to bridge a gap between where they are and where they would like to be (educational technology and mobile learning).
Pedagogy and andragogy differ in orientation to learning as well. Pedagogy allows that learning is a process based on prescribed subject matter and presented in a logical sequence. Andragogy claims learning must be relevant to real-life and is organized around real-life situations as opposed to sequential subject matter (Educational Technology0.
Finally, pedagogy and andragogy have different motivations for learning. Pedagogy claims young learners are motivated to learn because they are told to learn and they are expected to learn. They have the expectation that their learning will help them in the future. While andragogy claims that adult learners have internal motivators such as to meet goals or to obtain a better way of life (Unit 1: The Adult