Educational Models of Adult Learning
There is a distinct connection between the historical development of educational models, including the evolution from the pedagogical model to the andragogical model.
- Pedagogy means literally "the art of teaching children." It developed between the 7th and 12th centuries in the monastic schools of Europe.
- Secular schools in the 19th century followed the pedagogical model, which was the only one available.
- The basic assumption of the pedagogical model is that the teacher is fully responsible for imparting knowledge, primarily through lecture, while the student's role is that of a passive receiver of knowledge.
Recent educational theorists (mostly Malcolm Knowles) have developed an andragogical model based on the following assumptions:
- Adults need to know why they are learning;
- Adults need to be seen as competent;
- Adults want their knowledge and skills acknowledged in the classroom;
- Adults need to be self-directed and experientially involved in their learning; and
- Adults want learning to be life-centered and applicable
We should base our model based on andragogical assumptions.
Facilitation methods allow students to be active and self-directed in their learning.
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