Successful Projects deals exclusively with adult learners. This means we specialize in "andragogy" - learning strategies focused on adults.
Knowles' Theory regarding andragogy was developed by the American educator Malcolm Knowles and it asserts that adult learning should be distinguished from pedagogy (child-learning), based on the following assumptions:
- Adults need to know the reason for learning something (Need to Know)
- Experience including error provides the basis for learning activities (Foundation).
- Adults need to be responsibile for their decisions on education; involvement in the planning and evaluation of their instruction (Self-concept).
- Adults are most interested in learning subjects having immediate relevance to their work and/or personal lives (Readiness).
- Adult learning is problem-centered rather than content-oriented (Orientation).
- Adults respond better to internal versus external motivators (Motivation). This is why a self-directed approach is better for adults than 'taught' education.
Successful Projects has designed the Certificate in Project Management program and adult intelligent discovery learning activities based on these philosophies.
References:
- Knowles, M. (1975). Self-Directed Learning. Chicago. Follet.
- Kowles, M. (1984). The Adult Learner: A Neglected Species (erd Ed.). Houston, TX: Gulf Publishing.
- Knowles, M. (1984). Andragogy in Action. San Franciscon: Jossey-Bass.