What is the theory of adult education that recognizes adults learn differently from children?

The concept that distinguishes how adults learn compared to children is known as andragogy. This theory, developed by Malcolm Knowles, emphasizes that adult learners bring a wealth of life experiences and knowledge to the learning process, which significantly influences their motivation and approach to learning.

Andragogy recognizes that adults prefer self-direction in their learning, are motivated by internal factors such as personal growth and fulfillment rather than external rewards, and often engage in learning that is problem-centered rather than content-centered. This approach is integral in adult education as it aligns educational strategies with the characteristics and needs of adult learners, promoting an environment where they can take responsibility for their own learning.

In contrast, pedagogy focuses primarily on the teaching strategies used for children, where learners are often more dependent on the instructor for guidance. Heutagogy further expands on the idea of self-directed learning, emphasizing competencies and the learner’s ability to direct their own learning. Behaviorism, meanwhile, is a learning theory that involves changes in behavior as a result of external stimuli and reinforcement, which is typically more applicable to structured environments and does not capture the nuances of adult learning as effectively as andragogy does.