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1.5: Adult Learning Theory

  • Page ID
    277736
  • This page is a draft and under active development. Please forward any questions, comments, and/or feedback to the ASCCC OERI (oeri@asccc.org).

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    This theory focuses on how adults learn differently from children. The emphasis lies in that adult learners are self-directed, motivated by internal needs, and bring their life experiences into the learning process whereas children do not have many learned experiences yet.

    Malcolm Knowles

    Malcolm Knowles is widely recognized for his contributions to adult education through his development of the theory of andragogy, which focuses on the unique characteristics and needs of adult learners. Knowles proposed that adults learn differently from children, emphasizing that adult learning should be self-directed, with adults taking responsibility for their own learning processes. He identified several key principles of andragogy, including the need for adults to understand why they are learning something, the importance of building on their prior experiences, the desire for practical and problem-solving learning, and the need for learning to be relevant to their life or work. According to Knowles, adults are motivated by internal factors, such as the need for personal growth or career advancement, rather than external rewards. His theory has had a profound influence on adult education, shaping programs that are more collaborative, experiential, and applicable to real-world situations.

    Interactive Element

    Andragogy is a complex term that may need further clarification. Please watch the following video, where adult learning is explained using six principles.


    This page titled 1.5: Adult Learning Theory is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Kerry Diaz & Tenessa Sanchez.