Principles of Adult Learning

Adult learning theories trace their roots back to Malcolm Knowles, an

adult educator who developed the concept of andragogy. Andragogy is

the "art and science of teaching adults." This is intentionally different

from pedagogy, which is the practice of teaching children.

 Principles of Adult Learning
• To develop his concept of andragogy, Knowles identified certain characteristics within
adult learners. These include:
• A preference for self-directed learning
• An ability to draw on life experience to assist with learning
• A willingness to learn when transitioning into new roles
• A focus on immediately applying new knowledge to real-life situations and problems
• A tendency to be internally motivated (rather than externally)
 Principles of Adult Learning
7 LEARNING PRINCIPALS

1. SELF DIRECTED -
Learning at one’s own pace in one’s own way

You know what you need to learn and set your own goals, track down
materials, and create a plan to foster your own learning, then self-evaluate.
 Principles of Adult Learning
7 LEARNING PRINCIPALS

2. TRANSFORMATIONAL -
Learning can change your perspective on the world and vice-versa

Whether from a teacher, a mentor or some other channel, new information can shift a
person’s worldview and challenge their preconceived notions. In shifting the learner’s
outlook, the information becomes both applied and retained.
 Principles of Adult Learning
7 LEARNING PRINCIPALS

3. EXPERIENTIAL -
Focuses on developing life experience or "hands-on" learning

Participate physically in the learning environment ("getting your

hands dirty") and then reflecting on what worked and what didn’t
 Principles of Adult Learning
7 LEARNING PRINCIPALS

4. MENTORSHIP -
Learning from an outside mentor (established figure) in a field

Mentors and mentees can learn from each other. (Mentees ask
challenging questions, mentors challenge proteges’ understanding
of the material.)
 Principles of Adult Learning
7 LEARNING PRINCIPALS

5. ORIENTATION TO (or OFF ) LEARNING -

Adults need to reframe their emotions and assumptions around the experience and
value of learning

Educators instruct their students on how to apply new lessons in

the real world, which helps students retain information.
 Principles of Adult Learning
7 Learning Principles

6. MOTIVATION -
Children are motivated by parents and laws requiring their education; adults often have
internal motivation

Adults put in the time and effort to learn because they’ve typically internalized
their motivation, whether it’s career success, the prestige of a degree or a
better salary.
 Principles of Adult Learning
7 Learning Principles

7. READINESS TO LEARN -
As a child matures, they reach a certain threshold of learning readiness (such as reading
or basic math facts), but adults have already been through this development and need
to rely on past experience or life changes to develop a renewed readiness
Renewing your readiness to learn as an adult often happens by way of a
situational trigger. Perhaps you lose your job or want to switch careers, for
example. Or perhaps your next promotion hinges on mastering a skill.
 Principles of Adult Learning
THE ASSUMPTIONS OF ADULT LEARNERS

The last adult learning theory we discussed is derived from the work of
Malcolm Knowles. Knowles developed basic assumptions about how adult
learners differ than child learners.
 Principles of Adult Learning
THE ASSUMPTIONS OF ADULT LEARNERS

1. SELF CONCEPT:

As a person matures, self-concept changes from dependence toward

independence. Therefore, adult learners prefer some degree of control

over what they learn
and how
 Principles of Adult Learning
THE ASSUMPTIONS OF ADULT LEARNERS

2. EXPERIENCE :
Life experiences become a resource for learning over time. Therefore, adult
learners value discussions and active participation that connect with their
experiences.
 Principles of Adult Learning
THE ASSUMPTIONS OF ADULT LEARNERS

3. ORIENTATION OF LEARNING :
Adult learners’ perspective of time changes from one of future
application to immediate application of learning. Accordingly, orientation toward
learning shifts
from subject-centered to problem-centered. Therefore, they seek education based on
what is
relevant to their lives—often in response to a stressor or to solve a problem.
 Principles of Adult Learning
THE ASSUMPTIONS OF ADULT LEARNERS

4. READINESS TO LEARN :
Adult learners become more focused on the developmental tasks of social roles.
Therefore, adult learners seek the benefit derived from prescribed topics, practical
application of knowledge to problem solving, topics supportive of functional roles, or
simplyindependent interest in a topic. You can optimize the design and development
phase of your event by asking.