Knowles' andragogy (Adult Learning Theory) as the framework for adult immigrant instruction¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · 1 claim (1 for) · 1 study (1 associational), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 1 claim rests on one study

Description¶

Andragogy, the art and science of leading and educating adults, is the study's organizing lens. The article presents Knowles' six characteristics differentiating adult learners from child learners: adults need to know what they are learning at onset, are self-directed, bring greater volume of experience, are prepared to learn things of value, are task and problem centered, and are responsive to motivated life factors. The study uses andragogy to hypothesize relationships between learner perspectives, self-directed learning, English acquisition and integration.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Instruction designed for adults must account for their self-direction, experience, and task- and problem-centered orientation as the article describes

Constraints¶

• Critics note the assumed characteristics of adult learners are not always found, and Knowles later modified his views to include both andragogy and pedagogy as plausible with children or adults depending on circumstances

Target Learners¶

• Adult immigrant learners in community-based, nonprofit or federally funded non-credit courses

Target Learning Objectives¶

• English language skills acquisition
• Successful civic, linguistic and economic integration

Claims¶

• Adult immigrants' perspectives of learning formats, self-directed learning, and motivation correlate significantly with English skills acquisition and integration [+W]

Related Theories¶

• Self-directed learning as a five-step process learners control themselves
• Three-dimension framework distinguishing self-initiated learning, self-direction as personal attribute, and self-direction as educational goal
• Andragogy: Knowles' framework of assumptions about adult learning, distinct from pedagogy
• Five adult learning theories — andragogy, experiential learning, self-directed learning, transformational learning, and neuroscience — as a design framework for adult-learning technology

Examples¶

• Learning Contracts

Key Sources¶

• Covington, K. C. D. (2024). Examining the learner perspective in US immigrant adults: Socioeconomic status and the mission to successfully integrate. Doctoral study. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED660747