Andragogy and Pedagogy: An Introduction to the Fundamental Definitions of Learning
The distinction between how we teach children and how we teach adults goes far beyond age—it’s about two completely different views of the learner, each rooted in Ancient Greek.
The traditional approach is Pedagogy, a term that literally means "leading the child." In this model, the child is the dependent learner. They expect the teacher to be the expert authority who controls the information flow. The child's role is to diligently absorb the curriculum, often with their own limited personal experiences being set aside. Their motivation is typically external, driven by the pressure of grades, avoiding parental disapproval, or working toward a distant future goal. Pedagogy is fundamentally about preparation for life, systematically filling a young mind with the necessary foundational knowledge.
The adult approach is Andragogy, which means "leading the adult." This philosophy, championed by educator Malcolm Knowles, operates on the belief that the adult is a self-directed human being who resents being taught and prefers to be facilitated or guided. The adult learner doesn't arrive as an empty slate; their decades of life, work, and history are considered the richest textbook available. Therefore, the instructor acts as a resource, helping the adult connect new information directly to their existing knowledge framework. Crucially, the adult’s motivation is overwhelmingly internal—they are driven by an immediate need to solve a specific problem, gain a skill for their job now, or achieve a personal goal. Andragogy is focused on improving the life you’re already living, making the learning process immediately relevant and applicable.
