I agree that Malcolm Knowles’ theory of andragogy seems to be geared towards adult learning. The andragogy theory implies that adults are self-directed and take responsibility for their decisions. Andragogy makes the following assumptions about the design of learning:
(1) Adults want to know why they should learn something
(2) Adults learn experientially
(3) Adults like to learn problem solving
(4) Adults learn the best when what they are learning has an immediate value

Essentially, the andragogy theory states that instruction for adults must focus more on the process and less on the content being taught. Role playing (yuck!), case studies, examples, self-evaluations, and simulations are key components when applying the andragogoy theory. Instructors, lecturers, and teachers tend to become known as facilitators when applying the andragogy theory.

Due to innovation and technology constantly changing, the andragogy theory appears more often now days, because we as a society have to learn the new material in an attempt to keep up.

Andragogy, active learning and constructivism are all three great learning theories. My favorite quality that all three have is that all three theories are open to new ideas and concepts. As a trainer I tend to use the constructivism approach.

Your totally right about how adults like to seek out learning experiences when some life-changing event occurs, producing a “teachable moment.”

My personal experience consists of me going back to school to receive my bachelor’s degree from Central Pennsylvania College seven years after receiving my associate’s degree from HACC, then ultimately deciding to continue to push forward to receive my master’s degree from Bloomsburg University. After graduating from HACC in 1999 I worked in the “real world” for seven years before I came to the conclusion that my associate’s degree wasn’t going to get me to where I wanted to be career-wise. So I decided with support of my wife and family to go to Central Penn. After completing Central Penn College in June 2009, I decided to push forward to get my master’s. My main reason to do so now is because I feel it will only be harder and more expensive to do so later, especially when my daughters start school, sports, etc. My life-changing event that pushes me to learn is so I can provide a better life for my new family by getting a better job. I push myself harder in school now then I did when I was without kids.

Everyone is born with and/or has developed their own capabilities and talents. Everybody brings something to the table. The student’s role in Active Learning is to understand this and to be open to new ideas and to be willing to learn and try new things. It’s important to understand that learning is an active endeavor and that different people learn in different ways. As long as both the instructor and the student remain open to each other and other students, learning can take place in a manner that all will understand.

Student behaviors consist of being a willing participant to a learning opportunity, to participate, to be engaged, and bringing their own experiences and skill-set to the table, etc.

It is the instructor’s role to know and understand that everyone is different. It is the instructor’s job to know the students’ different skill-sets, employment background, and educational background, etc. The instructor is responsible for knowing how to motivate the learning process in a safe, friendly, nurturing learning environment.

Instructor behaviors consist of having clear goals and/or objectives, a set agenda or time-frame, motivating interaction, engaging the students using multiple channels such as; reading, writing, videos, presentations, discussion, role playing, and feedback.

Active learning consists of creating a learning environment that motivates both the student(s) and instructor(s) to participate in the process of learning by being engaged or being part of the process. Active learning requires more involvement than just sitting and listening to a lecture.
Active learning creates an environment where the student(s) and instructor(s) are both part of the learning process. For active learning to be successful, both student(s) and instructor(s) need to be fully involved. Instructors need to plan lessons, create activities, and motivate interest. Essentially instructors have to answer the students’ questions of, “Why do I want to learn this? What is in it for me? In order for active learning to take place students must be involved. Active learning only takes place when students are willing to be active with other students and/or instructors.

Thanks for your comment!

As we all know, the learning process is not an easy process,
meaning, just because you take a class on a subject or research a
subject doesn’t mean that you will retain everything you’ve
heard or read, nor will it make you an expert on
that subject. Based on the “Learning
Pyramid”by the NTL Institute for Applied
Behavioral Science, learners retain five
percent of a lecture, 10% of something read,
20% from an audio visual, 30% by
demonstration, 50% from participation in a
discussion group, 75% by actual practice and
finally, 90% by teaching others.

ELearning can show up in any screens: Nokia, Nexus1, iPad, iPhone or GoogleTV.

But what about content side? CAn we generate good content cost-effectively now?

georeg kyaw naing
http://ethicminds.blogspot.com/