Malcolm S.

Knowles Theory
(1913-1977)
Born: August 24, 1913, Livingston, Montana, United states
 The father of Andragogy
 1934- receive his BA at Harvard
 1939- MA University of Chicago
 1951—1959- Executive
director of the adult
Education Association
1960-1974 associate
professor of adult education with tenure of Boston, University.

Andragogy- is the method and practice of teaching adult learners; adult education.
_ is the art and science of teaching adults and the proper place to begin formulating
Theory for higher education.

Knowles of 5 Assumption of Adult Learners

1. Self-concept- as a person matures his/ her life moves from one of being a dependent personality
forward one of being Self- directed
2. Adult learner experience- as a person matures he/she accumulates a growing reservoir of
experience that becomes an increasing resource of learning.
3. Readiness to learn- as a person matures his/her readiness to learn becomes oriented increasingly to
the development task of his her social tools.
4. Orientation to learning- as a person matures his/her time to perspective changes from one of
postponed application of knowledge to immediacy of application.
5. motivation to Learning - as a person matures the motivation to learn is eternal.

Knowles 4 principle of andragogy

1. Adults need to be involved in the planning and evaluation of their instruction.
2. Experience ( including mistakes ) provides the basis for learning activities.
2. Adults are most interested in learning subject that have relevance and impact to their job and
personal life.
4. Adult learning is problem centered rather than content oriented.