Peer Review

Andragogy--Adult Learning Theory

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Jul 16, 2025 by Teacher Education

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

This wiki and website article by Gayle S. Keesee, shares the theory behind adult learners, as based on a 1970's book by Malcolm Knowles.

Type of Material:

Reference Material

Recommended Uses:

The material can be used as in class material, homework, or project activity:

In-Class Discussion: Excellent as a launching point for discussions on adult learning principles in teacher preparation or continuing education programs.
Individual or Group Homework: Students can be assigned to summarize and critique each assumption of andragogy.
Self-Paced Learning: Appropriate for adjunct onboarding or faculty development modules.
Lecture Supplement: Use as a handout or pre-reading material.

Technical Requirements:

Internet access & PDF reader

Identify Major Learning Goals:

While the Teaching & Learning Resources (TLR) website does not explicitly list formal learning goals, we can infer the major learning goals based on the structure and content—especially within the Andragogy – Adult Learning Theory section and the broader instructional resources. These goals align with common instructional design and faculty development objectives.

Inferred Major Learning Goals of the Website

Understand Key Learning Theories
- Describe major educational theories (e.g., andragogy, constructivism, learning styles) and their core principles.
- Differentiate between theories that guide teaching adults versus children (e.g., andragogy vs. pedagogy).
Apply Adult Learning Principles
- Identify and apply Malcolm Knowles’ six assumptions of adult learners in course or training design.
- Design instruction that respects learner autonomy, experience, and self-direction.
Reflect on Teaching Practices
- Analyze how personal teaching strategies align with or diverge from adult learning principles.
- Consider how theoretical frameworks influence teaching style, communication, and learner engagement.
Develop Instructional Strategies Based on Theory
- Select appropriate strategies and methods for adult learners based on sound theoretical grounding.
- Incorporate motivation, relevance, and problem-centered learning into course design.
Explore Supplemental Concepts in Teaching and Learning
- Connect andragogy with related educational concepts, such as learning styles, constructivism, or cognitive development.
- Use the resource as a springboard to explore broader instructional design strategies.
Support Lifelong Learning and Faculty Development
- Foster a mindset of continuous improvement and evidence-based teaching.
- Encourage instructors (especially new or adjunct faculty) to reflect on and improve their instructional effectiveness.

Target Student Population:

College General Ed

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

This material can be used in course addressing learning pedagogies in adult education:

Basic Understanding of Education Terminology

Users should ideally be familiar with common educational terms such as “learning theory,” “instructional strategies,” and “pedagogy.”
This helps in understanding how andragogy differs from other approaches.

2. Interest or Background in Teaching or Training

Most beneficial for current or aspiring educators, instructional designers, trainers, or facilitators—especially those working with adult learners.

3. Some Familiarity with Adult Learning Contexts

Users who have experience teaching or working with adults (e.g., in higher education, corporate training, or professional development) will be better able to relate to the examples and assumptions in the material.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

The focus of the material is to reflect upon the a model of assumptions about characteristics of different ways adult learning occurs. The content reviews ideas on the implications of adult learning. The content is easy to manage. Users will not face challenging scenarios.

This material is excellent for foundational understanding.

Strengths:

The material offers a clear and concise summary of Malcolm Knowles’ theory of andragogy.
Key assumptions of adult learners are well-articulated (e.g., need to know, self-concept, prior experiences, readiness, orientation, and motivation).
The page connects theory to practice with examples of how andragogy informs instructional strategy.

Concerns:

There are limited citations to primary or peer-reviewed academic sources.
The material does not delve deeply into critiques or contemporary updates to Knowles’ model.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

This material is potentially very effective.

The site content will allow faculty and students raise awareness on a different approach of how adults learn. The learning material can be easily integrated to the curriculum of a course on teaching pedagogy.

Teachers can assign very meaningful and interesting homework assignments. For example, they can design lesson plans including the approaches of adult learning.

Strengths:

Easy-to-navigate and accessible format; information is well-organized for self-paced or classroom use.
Appropriate for instructor professional development, instructional design planning, or introductory education/andragogy courses.
Includes reflective questions and suggestions for application, which supports critical thinking and instructional transfer.

Concerns:

There is room for interactive enhancement

Limitations:

Lacks multimedia or interactive features that may support different learning preferences (e.g., videos, diagrams, or downloadable handouts).
Does not include student learning objectives or formal assessments.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

The site is user-friendly but with some minor navigation issues.

Strengths:

The site layout is clean and easy to follow, even without deep familiarity with wikis.
Internal links to related topics (e.g., Constructivism, Learning Styles) provide contextual breadth.
Accessible on desktop and mobile without login requirements.

Concerns:

Limitations:

Visual presentation is plain, and some formatting may feel outdated.
A few links lead to general pages rather than deep content.

Other Issues and Comments:: This is a high-quality, well-organized introduction to adult learning theory. While it would benefit from updated sources, richer interactivity, and visual design enhancements, it remains a strong foundational resource.
Creative Commons: