Adult Education, Training and Development, and Andragogy

What is Adult Education?

Adult Education is a field that studies how to present information to adults for optimal learning. People are successfully incorporating Adult Education principles and strategies for better speaking results, and returns.

The field of Adult Education is also referred to as Training and Development, as well as Andragogy.

What is Andragogy?

Andragogy--the teaching of adults--is distinguished from pedagogy, which is the teaching of children, all the way through undergrad. Everything else--communication courses, vocational training, skills training, workplace training, professional development training, self-paced personal development, grad school (controversial), informal learning, and all presentations that have the intent of teaching anything really--is considered Andragogy.

Adult Education--Andragogy--focuses on using interaction and participatory methods of teaching, among other things. Additionally important to Adult Educators, is understanding how adults receive information through concepts such as these:

Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences
Learning Styles
Brain Based Learning (very basically, studies of the brain encourage activity-based, cooperative, and in some cases, self-directed learning)
Brain Based Learning Resource 1
Brain Based Learning Resource 2
Brain Based Learning Resource 3

The most widely-known association in the field is the Association for Training and Development (ASTD). They have lots of articles and resources for trainers and speakers. The foundations of that organization come from Adult Education.

Training and Development

The movement seems to share a broad spectrum of perspectives. The term Training and Development often encompasses all the corporate and non-profit educational and skills training efforts.

Adult Education Theorists

Adult Education theorists provide insight into how adult learn and process information. The most famous, Malcolm Knowles, who is thought of at the grandfather of the Adult Education movement.

History and Social Issues

Historically and theoretically, Adult Education also considers social issues as they relate to an informed public. Moses Cody is a historically well-known social reformer. He started the The Antigonish Movement which encouraged people to "Shape your own destiny" by changing themselves and society. Ron Faris is also Canadian, known for creating plans for Learning Communities.

Adult Education Education

The home of the most well known Adult Education degree program in North America is in the Maritimes at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Incorporating Adult Education Theories and Models

I studied the field of Adult Education for a number of years and then moved my discipline to MA Communications, which involves interpersonal communication, organization communication, and media/marketing communication. But I still incorporate my learning of adult Education theories in almost everything I do. Utilizing Adult Education principals are essential when conducting workshops, developing curriculum, and writing in general. I am particularly interested in incorporating participation and interaction into speaking presentations, and bringing the material alive for audiences.

Assessments

Assessments are common tools used by trainers, instructors, facilitators, coaches, and consultants for a wide variety of purposes, including:

communication training
sales seminars
team building
strengthening relationships
...and much more!

I am particularly drawn to a strengths based training approach, and of all the tools I use, I am especially passionate about the line of assessments produced by Consulting Resource Group (CRG). I've been a licensed trainer of their products for over 10 years and I recommend them to everyone. Their flagship tool is called the Personal Style Indicator (PSI). If you are looking for an effective set of tools for your training or coaching sessions, I suggest you look into the CRG Train-the-Trainer program--you will not be disappointed!

Think of me the next time you need a speaker, trainer, instructor or group facilitator!

Jennifer Henczel
The Communication Coach
www.TheCommunicationCoach.com
jh@TheCommunicationCoach.com
604-615-9622