1. Adult Learning Theory Sheriece Fleming California State University Los Angeles Los Angeles EDIT 565 Professor Javeri Spring 2008

2. Andragogy (andr-’man’)  Means “the art and science of helping adults learn”.  This concept was developed by M. Knowles and is described as an emerging technology that is based on 5 principles for the adult learner. http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Learning_Theories/Adult_Learning_Theories

3. Priniciples for Andragogy  Self Concept  Experience  Readiness  Orientation  Motivation http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Learning_Theories/Adult_Learning_Theories

4. Self-Concept  As a person matures, he or she moves from dependency to self directness. http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Learning_Theories/Adult_Learning_Theories

5. Experience  Adults dram upon their experiences to aid their learning. http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Learning_Theories/Adult_Learning_Theories

6. Readiness  The learning readiness of adults is closely related to the assumption of new social roles. http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Learning_Theories/Adult_Learning_Theories

7. Orientation  As a person learns new knowledge, he or she wants to apply it immediately in problem solving. http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Learning_Theories/Adult_Learning_Theories

8. Motivation  As a person matures, he or she receives their motivation to learn from internal factors. http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Learning_Theories/Adult_Learning_Theories

9. Assumptions about Andragogy (1) Adults need to know why they need to learn something (2) Adults need to learn experientially, (3) Adults approach learning as problem-solving, and (4) Adults learn best when the topic is of immediate value. http://tip.psychology.org/knowles.html

10. Knowles (1984, Appendix D) provides an example of applying Andragogy principles to the design of personal computer training:  1. There is a need to explain why specific things are being taught (e.g., certain commands, functions, operations, etc.) http://tip.psychology.org/knowles.html

11. Andragogy principles to the design of personal computer training:  2. Instruction should be task- oriented instead of memorization -- learning activities should be in the context of common tasks to be performed. http://tip.psychology.org/knowles.html

12. Andragogy principles to the design of personal computer training:  3. Instruction should take into account the wide range of different backgrounds of learners; learning materials and activities should allow for different levels/types of previous experience with computers. http://tip.psychology.org/knowles.html

13. Andragogy principles to the design of personal computer training:  4. Since adults are self-directed, instruction should allow learners to discover things for themselves, providing guidance and help when mistakes are made. http://tip.psychology.org/knowles.html

14. References:  http://tip.psychology.org/knowles.html http://tip.psychology.org/knowles.html  http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Learning_The ories/Adult_Learning_Theories http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Learning_The ories/Adult_Learning_Theories http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Learning_The ories/Adult_Learning_Theories  Knowles, M. (1975). Self-Directed Learning. Chicago: Follet.  Knowles, M. (1984). The Adult Learner: A Neglected Species (3rd Ed.). Houston, TX: Gulf Publishing.  Knowles, M. (1984). Andragogy in Action. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.