Andragogy v. Pedagogy in on-line instruction
As a university professor, I have a hard time accepting as professionals in education we insist on using a pedagogy style to instruct adult learners. According to Malcolm Knowles chart, the andragogical learner is more suited for on-line learning because
1) Increasingly self-directed, 2) rich resource for learning by self and others, 3) develops from life tasks and problems, 4) task or problem-centered, and 5) internal incentives and curiosity driven.
Keeping this in mind, as a facilitator I would allow my students to take turns selecting an appropriate topic for discussions and set up groups to work together on certain subjects.
Do you instruct using a pedagogy or andragogy style? Is that style reflected in your online courses?
Gretchen,
I think we have to make sure that we think about ALL learners. I also think we can use labels as crutches (including learning styles) as an excuse for any student not learning.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Timothy,
I think we have to remember that good teaching is still good teaching no matter the environment. I don't think either student group (traditional or nontraditional) have ALL of the skills to make learning "easy". I do think we have to use mentoring, facilitating and yes sometimes lecturing to make sure students know and and "do".
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Jolly,
I agree with you but the essence of online learning is that you have to be self directed. The student has to turn on the computer, put themselves in the learning environment and communicate and that has to be initiated by the learner. I can't reach through the computer and tap them on the shoulder, (as much as I would like to do that)
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Gretchen,
I agree with you. I think all students benefit from those principles. Students don't want busy work; regardless of their age. My concern is that they are not prepared to learn in that fashion in high school. It is so test driven.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Given that the majority of states have virtual online courses supporting K-12 schools, pedagogical strategies should still be employed. Although I respect Knowles contribution to andragogy, not all adult-learners are self-directed as Knowles assumes, when means there are occasions where the facilitator may take more of a pedagogical lecture-based approach than an andragogical approach. Then there's also the heutagogical strategy...
Thank you Tim. I have always had older adults in my courses because I teach specialized courses that require some background knowledge or experience. Therefore, I am always concerned when I receive curriculum designed for the younger population and not an adult.
I agree, Gretchen. It is disheartening to see the terms pedagogy and andragogy used as if they were interchangeable. In fact, most of our students are older adults these days -- at least, this is true in my case -- and adults learn in ways that are different and unique from younger learners. Knowles pioneered experiential approaches that allowed adult learners to integrate a lifetime of lessons and experience into the process of gathering knew knowledge. Andragogy allows a more exact method for reaching and training older learners.
