4 Adult Learning Theories

Every day across America and, perhaps, across the globe, educators bring to their adult learning classrooms a pedagogical style that is inappropriate for the adult learner. There are distinct differences between adults and young learners in their educational needs, purposes for learning, and in their ways of learning. Pedagogy is the art and science of teaching children, and has been practiced for centuries; however, pedagogical methods are not appropriate for application to adult learning. Instead, andragogical methods are best suited for adult learning. This short-read book provides a succinct discussion of andragogy, its application to adult learning development, and the four approaches to adult development:

1. the biological perspective;

2. the psychological perspective;

3. the socio-cultural approach, and

4. the integrative approach.

An understanding of the differences between the two methods of delivering education to children and adults, and an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of andragogy and its application to adult learning development, will help educators apply the appropriate methods to adult learning.

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