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Adult vs Child Learning
The question often comes up as to whether adult learning strategies should be used when presenting to groups that include children. Here we will approach the question in terms of characteristic attributes that may be predominate in a particular age group but are not necessarily determined by age group. Adult learning (androgogy), as opposed to child learning (pedagogy), can be described as the combination of a multidimensional set of variables which includes locus of control, learner characteristics, and situational circumstances. The levels of the dimensions can be combined to establish the extent to which adult learning strategies are appropriate to a situation.
|
Pedagogy |
Androgogy |
| Mandatory Attendance | Voluntary Attendance |
| Subject Centered | Problem Centered |
| Dependant Learners | Independent Learners |
| Inexperienced Learners | Experienced Learners |
| Teacher Prescribed Content | Learner Prescribed Content |
| Learners Grouped by Age Level or Ability | Learners Grouped by Interest or Needs |
| Learning for the Future | Learning for the Now |
| Learners Subordinate to the Teacher | Learners Equal to the Teacher |
| Rigid, Traditional Structure | Flexible, Alternative Structure |
| Passive Learners | Active Learners |
William H. Jackson -- 1998
Jackson, W. H., (1998). Adult vs Child Learning. [On-line]. Available: http://internet.cybermesa.com/~bjackson/Papers/Bloom.htm