Andragogy is the Art and Science of Adults’ Training

The core of andragogy as a science and its applicability at this stage

Despite the fact that the term “andragogy” seems unfamiliar and new, its age is more than 100 years. Andragogy (from the Greek “Andros” is an adult male; “agogeyn” is to lead, “running of adult”) is the science that reveals the theoretical and practical aspects of training adults throughout life. This term was used in 1833 by the German scientist, historian A.Kapp. Andragogy in the broadest sense of the concept is the science of self-development methods throughout life. It is no secret that some people “find themselves” and disclosed at a young age, and many need to gain experience, knowledge and skills to express themselves fully. So andragogy comes to the rescue, helping people in personal growth and uncovering their hidden potential. “Non scholae sed vitae discimus” – “Not for school but for life we study” – Seneca said. Modern information space is so volatile that if you graduated 5 – 10 years ago, today your knowledge could be outdated, and its updating is not just a matter of your personal growth, but also the degree of company’ successful performance, in which you work. Modern human cannot afford to get an education only once, and then next 30 – 40 years work according to the final formula. Therefore, we can assume that andragogy is the future for educational process in general. Even today, many organizations have departments of Human Resources, which are tasked with staff training and development.

Main provisions in andragogy

Principles of andragogy differ from the principles of pedagogical training. In connection with this, the teacher, who has worked in the school system 20 – 30 years and become a part of the adults’ learning environment as fate has willed, should thoroughly reconsider techniques and methods of teaching, established from his experience. It should be clearly understood that in order to successfully train ready professionals, it is not enough to be proficient in the material, it is important to have an inner charisma, have absolute authority and be the leader of the group, to carry the revolutionary new ideas in order to attract and retain the attention of the audience. It is important to know some of the adults’ training principles, such as:

1. Self-education is the leading activity. Distance educational projects take the first place in the educational process in the context of this principle.
2. The primary activity is the joint classmates’ activity with each other and the teacher. This principle allows us before start and during training to analyze top directions in obtaining knowledge.
3. Education is based on existing experience and practical skills. This principle allows you to actively use the available information baggage for knowledge increase and is fundamental in the development of students’ creative abilities.
4. The correction principle of obsolete personal experience and a conservative approach, which stands in the way of gaining new knowledge. This provision is educational in nature and help people with stereotypes, not wishing to go with the times, to get the motivation and need for training.
5. The principle of freedom in the choice of goals, content, methods, deadlines and location of training. Only guiding by this principle the development of creative potential of adult “students” can be contributed.

The concept of training in andragogy

One of the most productive ways of adults’ training is considered to be the method of David Kolb. According to which training is cyclical in nature, and includes four stages:

1. Analysis of existing practice and experience of the student. At this stage, we analyze the results obtained by a person from the use of available professional experience.
2. Phase of reflection. Understanding of the received data, analysis and thinking about what they mean to the person.
3. Stage of theoretical generalization. At this stage, connections between the obtained knowledge and experience are created. There is the generation of ideas and the building of new models.
4. Experimental stage. Practical use of the “new models”, where conclusions are drawn about their suitability and availability in professional activities.

Peculiarities of adults’ training

Working with adults the features of the mental processes activity of this category of students should be considered:

Attention:

–  The amount of memorized objects of adults is an average of 6 to 11, as it should be remembered picking up the material.

– Switching from one activity to another is more productive if a new task is interesting for the audience.

–  The focus is more successful, if means to maintain the emotional background (humor, aphorisms, and winged words) are used, the information is relevant, and, different channels of perception are also used.

Memory:

– When a new material is presented, the””edge effect” or the “effect of the first impression” should be taken into account when the information, heard at the beginning and at the end of the explanation is remembered better than that which is presented in the middle of the lesson.