EPD - Teaching & Learning - Theories & Principles - Adult Learning Theory

Adult Learning Theory

Summary

Adult learners are motivated by practical application, and need the following principles of andragogy (developed by Malcolm Knowles) to flourish in an educational environment (Toister, 2014):

Principle	Explanation
Need to Know	Adults need to know why they are being asked to learn.
Experience	Learning should be build upon existing knowledge.
Self-Concept	Adults need to be held responsible for their own growth and learning.
Readiness	Motivation increases when there's an immediate need to learn.
Problem Orientation	Learning should be problem-oriented, not content-oriented.
Intrinsic Motivation	Adults learn best when motivated from within, not from incentives or other external influences.

Application

Courses must:

• Explain the purpose of activities
• Know their audience
• Hold learners accountable
• Promote problem-solving and critical thinking
• Motivate learners to be engaged with the material

Resources:

• A Simple, Easy to Understand Guide to Andragogy (website, Cornerstone University)
• Instructional Design: Adult Learners (video course, LinkedIn Learning)