Why Andragogy?
Andragogy gave a name to the learning that had occupied much of my adult life, and was something I had much experience with, but had never formally put a name to. Knowles’ (1970) principles of adult learning provided me with a foundation for understanding my own learning processes and facilitated the development of new ideas in both my teaching practice and my commitment to life-long learning.
I was shown that all learning and experiences, whether formal or informal, trivial or critical are important elements in the construction and application of new data, from Knowles' and other researchers on the topic of Andragogy, which was presented in my Introduction to Adult Education course. Also crucial to my learning in this M.Ed program was the encouragement to apply new knowledge in ways that were both relevant and comprehensible to me.
Finally, studying the principles of adult learning gave me a wider lens from which to navigate my way around a domain of study that was just as foreign as many of my travels had been. As an adult learner and a college instructor, I was drawn towards the study of Andragogy as it lent itself well to the constructivist environment of my courses and was easily adaptable to my individual learning style. As well, it emphasizes authenticity and recognizes past experiences and prior knowledge as important elements in the acquisition and application of new information. I believe it was the teachings of andragogical theory (at least in principle), and the adoption of that doctrine across the program that made it possible for me to surpass even the highest expectations I had for myself.
I was shown that all learning and experiences, whether formal or informal, trivial or critical are important elements in the construction and application of new data, from Knowles' and other researchers on the topic of Andragogy, which was presented in my Introduction to Adult Education course. Also crucial to my learning in this M.Ed program was the encouragement to apply new knowledge in ways that were both relevant and comprehensible to me.
Finally, studying the principles of adult learning gave me a wider lens from which to navigate my way around a domain of study that was just as foreign as many of my travels had been. As an adult learner and a college instructor, I was drawn towards the study of Andragogy as it lent itself well to the constructivist environment of my courses and was easily adaptable to my individual learning style. As well, it emphasizes authenticity and recognizes past experiences and prior knowledge as important elements in the acquisition and application of new information. I believe it was the teachings of andragogical theory (at least in principle), and the adoption of that doctrine across the program that made it possible for me to surpass even the highest expectations I had for myself.