Twenty-First Century Andragogy: Empowering Adult Learners in Online Writing Courses
Alyson IndrunasFeb. 26, 2013NW eLearning Webinar
My Background
Composition TeacherOnline InstructorTuition Waiver Graduate StudentTitle III Faculty eLearning Mentor
AbstractBy reviewing the principles of
Andragogy in the context of teaching college writing to first-year college students, the author will examine that although the research of andragogy began in brick and mortar schools, and we can now adapt these theories to modern course formats, such as hybrid and online, to empower and motivate adult learners who may be reluctant to try eLearning.
AbstractIn 1980, Malcolm Knowles
introduced the theory of Andragogy, highlighting that “an adult accumulates a growing reservoir of experience, which is a rich resource for learning.” Thirty years later, online writing teachers can use andragogical principles to motivate and empower adult learners in an online writing class.
Goals for Today’s SessionDefine/Review AndragogyShow andragogical principlesDemonstrate examples of
Andragogy in an OL classExplain assignment successes
and failures for OL CollaborationSummarize the application of
andragogy in course planning and development
Continuing and College EducationEngage with
relevant coursework that provides both the theoretical understanding and practical skills appreciated by employers in a variety of adult learning settings such as:
community collegesuniversitiespublic safety
guidelineshealthcare
organizationscorporationsnonprofitscommunity human
service settings
WWU—Continuing and College Education
http://www.wce.wwu.edu/Depts/CCE/
Defining AndragogyKnowles (1977) defined four
assumptions:1. Adults have a self-concept of a self-
directing personality.2. Adults bring a wealth of experience to
the learning process.3. Adults come to the learning process
ready to learn.4. Adults are oriented toward immediate
application of learned knowledge.
Wait, there’s more!Knowles (1984, 1989) later added
two additional assumptions
5. Adults need to know the reason for learning something.
6. Adults are driven by intrinsic motivation to learn.
Adult Learners In Knowles’ (1980) theory of
andragogy,“an adult accumulates a growingreservoir of experience, which is a rich resource for learning” (p.43).
Mezirow and Harasim Learning Theory and Online
Technologies, Linda Harasim utilizes Mezirow's contribution to adult education
in the online learning context (2011).
Harasim (2011)Learning Theory and Online
Technologies
Learning should be interactive to promote higher-level learning.
Learning should be an active process.
So how do we apply this to the OL setting?
Learners should:
construct their own knowledge.be encouraged to facilitate their
learning.be given control of the learning
process.be given time and the
opportunity to reflect.
Merriam, Caffarella, Leahy
Billions of dollars are spent on training, and employees only remember 10% of the information.
What’s my 10%?
Conclusion? Andragogy is a guideline for good teaching!
What’s a Comp teacher to do?My case study about OL students
reluctant to take Hybrid and/OL courses.
Three main characteristics.
What I learned and how it changed what I do.
An Andragogical Framework In A Writing Class
Promotes OL Collaboration
Fosters Critical Thinking
Increases student retention
Two or Three Things I Know For SurePhoto Narrative Assignmentgives students choice (buy-in)relates to their experience
(makes them a stakeholder)connects what we are doing in the course to their lives (gets students involved)
Choice in CollaborationGiving students a choice in group
projects. It works (better).
Embodies connectivist principles
Students take control
Self-directed learners thrive
http://www.flickr.com/photos/seattlemunicipalarchives/2680257100/
Respecting Students’ TimeGive the students more flexibility in the
learning process.
Poll students about their work habitsAsk students for input about
assignmentsSet up rigorous expectations, but be
willing to be flexibleAccept that their ideas may be better
than yours!
What I Know For SureAll of this can bomb. Any time. Every class. I
don’t have the answers.
I can stay sane by trying to learn from my mistakes.
If I am honest with the students that I am trying something new, then they are more likely to give me good feedback for the next time.
Not all of my students are “adults.”
Motivation Wlodkowski (2008) in “What
Motivates Adults to Learn,” discusses how the adult brain is “developed and capable of judging, planning and making decisions about their experiences in a manner that is more integrated, stable, reflective, and future oriented (p.99).
Thoughtful Learning PlansStudent Motivation:“…the greatest facilitator to
influence learning transfer was the teacher motivation and presence” (Thomas & Bell, 2007)
Thomas, Earl. “Thoughtful Planning Fosters Learning Transfer” (2007)
OutcomesObjectivesStrategiesPerceived BarriersRequired SupportFollow-up PlansCriteria for Success
Conclusion and Thank You! "We are all apprentices in a craft
where no one ever becomes a master."
~Ernest HemingwayWith this quote in mind, please check out my wiki for
contact information and how to connect with me online.
http://evcc-olprofessionaldevelopment.wikispaces.com/home