Andragogy Art and science of helping adults learn

Andragogy • Art and science of helping adults learn • Introduced in 1968 by Malcolm Knowles • Separates the field of adult education from the education of children (pedagogy)

Pedagogy vs. Andragogy • Teacher-oriented • Self-oriented • Dependency • Self-dependent • Subject-centered • Problem-centered • Externally motivated • Internally motivated

Who are today’s adult learners? • • • Over 24 and beyond Midcareer executive to unskilled worker Unemployed: layoffs and outsourcing Women returning to college Veterans seeking new career path Nontraditional students with plenty of life, work, and family experiences

Why do adults return to school? • • • Develop skills to stay competitive Improve employability Increase earning power Prepare for a career change Fulfill personal goals Inspire children and set example

Why do adult learners need to complete degrees? • U. S. ranks #12 for degree attainment for 25 -34 year-olds (Dept. of Ed. , 2014) • Unemployment for 25 -34 year-olds with a degree was only 4% contrasted with 13% for those lacking a degree (NCES, 2013) • Earnings for degreed 25 -32 year-olds averaged $45, 500 compared with only $28, 000 for those without a degree (Pew, 2014)

Workforce Realities • 27 million working-age Americans have some college credits, but no degree (Lumina, 2016) • 60% of U. S. jobs will require college degree by 2018 (Lumina, 2011) • STEM jobs projected to grow by 9 million between 2012 and 2022 (BLS, 2014)

Learning Needs of Adult Learners • Need to understand importance of what they are learning • Need to know how their learning relates to their own best interest • Need to use their own experiences to learn

Adult Learner Barriers • Situational (family responsibilities, finances, work conflicts) • Institutional (faculty availability, course offerings, support systems) • Dispositional (fear of failure, remediation needs, perseverance) (Osam, Bergman, & Cumberland, 2016)

Adult Learner Success and Retention • Accelerated transition programs that focus on learning style and study skills • Corequisite courses to provide remediation while earning college-level credit • Support systems designed for needs of adult students (childcare, transportation assistance, stress management)

Adult Learners in the Classroom • • • Group activities Case studies Project-based learning Research assignments Peer review Portfolio development

Supporting Adult Learners • Student services focused on needs of adult learners (advising, financial aid, etc…) • Faculty trained to integrate relevant remediation into college-level courses • Teaching and learning communities dedicated to adults (Miller, 2016)

Group Discussion: Integrating Andragogy into Adult Learner Programs • How do you integrate andragogy in your adult learner programs? • What techniques and methods can create an adult-friendly environment?