ANDRAGOGICAL AND PEDAGOGICAL METHODS OF TEACHING: ADULT EDUCATORS’ PREFERENCE FOR ANDRAGOGY

Abstract

Adult learners have some unique characteristics that distinguish them from children. These characteristics influence their learning to a large extent. Adults by virtue of their age have accumulated knowledge through their various life experiences and this knowledge can be used as a learning resource. Therefore, their learning is more self-directed. It is on this premise that the concept of “andragogy” was popularized by Malcolm Knowles. He distinguishes this from the concept of pedagogy which is more concerned with the teaching of children. Children unlike adults come into the class or learning environment as blank slates depending on the teacher to bank knowledge in them and basically control all aspects of the teaching and learning situation. Learners contribute only when the teacher wants them to. Adult education practitioners have argued that such method if applied in adult learning will not produce the desired result.This paper, therefore, examined in details the difference between andragogy and pedagogy.