PILLARS OF ANDRAGOGY

FLORANTE C. BANTULA JR.

Andragogy and Self-directed learning have been an integral part of adult education’s identity. Learning ideas would provide us a clearer perspective on the differences and similarities of andragogy and pedagogy. With this, educators can carefully and appropriately address the subtle problems brought about by these concerns among learners.

Since adult learners are projected as learners with rich reservoir of experiences, these experiences emerge from different learnings. Some of these learning experiences were brought about by informal and incidental learnings. Adults may learn from experience as an individual, he may also learn things when he is a part of a team or an organization. These are crucial avenues that contributes in his rich reservoir of experiences. However, not in all cases these experiences provide accurate and truthful meaning.

Besides adult learners’characteristics as one of the focuses of educational revolution, we mayalso consider gender. Women and men may have differences in the manner they learn things. Women have distinct experiences compared to men. Their success in formal education spells out their coping ability. They acclimate almost immediately in the set-up of education that is meant for men. This should remind us that the revolution in education which details men and women as adult learners should be considered

Learning may happen in many settings and in different contexts. Adults have more complex understanding of the world around them. Their feelings and emotions based on experiences and imagination contribute to a meaningful construction meaning among adult learners. this acknowledges the facts that everything around us, contribute to the construction of knowledge. The complexity of adult learning reminds us that adults should be seen holistically. He is with mind, memories, conscious and subconscious worlds, emotions, imagination, and a physical body all of which can interact with new learning.

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The author is Secondary School Teacher III at Rafael L. Lazatin Memorial High School, Balibago, Angeles City