Andragogy

/ændrəˈɡɑdʒi/ noun

Definition

The theory and practice of teaching adults, which differs from teaching children because adults bring life experience and self-directed learning goals.

Etymology

From Greek 'aner' (man/adult) + 'agogos' (leader). Coined in the 1950s-60s by educator Malcolm Knowles to distinguish adult education from pedagogy (child education).

Kelly Says

Andragogy flipped education upside down by suggesting that adult learners don't need to be lectured *at* but rather guided to draw on their own experience—it's why bad corporate training fails spectacularly but great adult ed makes people feel genuinely empowered.

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