Many of you may be familiar with the term "pedagogy", defined as: "the function or work of a teacher; teaching; [or] the art or science of teaching; education; instructional methods; Origin: 1575–85; < Gk paidagōgía office of a child's tutor" (Dictionary.com, n.d., p.1). This term is often used to refer to educational methods for people of all ages.
However, research has shown that there are significant differences between the ways children learn and the ways adults learn. Exploration of this concept has led to the term "andragogy", defined as: "the methods or techniques used to teach adults" (ibid.).
In my MA program, we are exploring the origins and application of adult learning, andragogy, and self-directed learning (SDL).
A good source for more information on andragogy is the Knowles, Holton, & Swanson chapter from The Adult Learner (ISBN-13: 978-0884151159).
Throughout this blog, I'll explore the meanings, application, and misunderstandings of and about andragogy and self-directed learning.
References
andragogy. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved September 30, 2007, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/andragogy.
Knowles, M. S., Holton III, E.F., & Swanson, R.A. (1998). A theory of adult learning: Andragogy. In The adult learner: The definitive classic in adult education and human resource development (5th ed., pp. 35-72). Woburn: Butterworth-Heinemann.
pedagogy. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved September 30, 2007, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pedagogy.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
What is Andragogy?
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Why this blog?
I'm using this medium to accomplish a number of personal goals:
1. to reflect on and deepen my learning about lifelong learning and adult education;
2. to share my reflections on the topic with my MA cohort;
3. to learn more about the use and effectiveness of blogging;
4. to show my Internet Skills learners a living example of blogging for a purpose; and
5. to generate, explore and prepare information for formal papers.
With that in mind, this blog will be a blending of casual information sharing, critical reflective thinking and writing, and random musings. Some posts will be academic in nature, complete with APA citations and references, while others will be conversational style wanderngs.
So... onward ho!
Friday, September 28, 2007
Learning throughout life
Learning is a process that continues throughout life, and is often referred to as "lifelong learning". This is a topic that has always facinated me, even before I had a name for it.
Through this blog I will explore writings, research, and my own musings on the process, its history and its potential. I hope to increase my understanding of lifelong learning, particularly as it relates to adult learners, and to share some of that understanding in this medium.
Please come back and see what I've learned lately.
As I like to say: "You live and you learn - or you don't live long."
