Throughout my adult education, I have experienced various forms of learning experiences. These experiences range from professional development classes that offer large group or small group sessions. As well as online college courses for my master’s degree. After learning about the study of andragogy, it has its pros and cons in the learning process.
I have been teaching special education for five years now. For 4 years I have taught in a high school self-contained class, and this year I am teaching in a middle school structed class which is known as autism. In the school district, we are required to take at least 21 hours of professional development classes to keep our certificate valid every five years. All special education teachers are required to take a professional development class on how to write an individualized educational plan (IEP). However, there are only a few of us who teaches self-contained or in a structured program. We are required to take certain professional development classes that are geared towards the middle school and high school levels of academics. Us special education teachers get frustrated because our students are nowhere near those levels academically and socially. I find no meaning at all because my students are still learning how to write their name and learning how to count. When I am in these classes, I find myself distracted and not paying attention. These classes are not taken into account the needs of staff and the diverse interest. This is leading to the unawareness of the andragogy theory.
As a student at Grand Canyon University, I find myself excited and highly engaged in my classes. I am pursing a master’s degree in Instructional Technology, because I have a great interest in technology and learning how to incorporate it into my classroom. In my classroom I utilize Google Suites, by creating assessments for my students IEP goals, creating surveys for parents, and collecting data. I am interested in taking these classes at GCU because it is building on my prior knowledge. I am learning new things that I have taken into account and I have taught other educators in my school.
When creating the Venn diagram, I had to remind myself that I was not comparing and contrasting with my own experiences. In an article called “Awesome Chart On”, it talks about how adults learn differently and have different strategies in their learning (“Awesome chart on” Pedagogy vs andragogy”, “2013). After looking over the comparison and differences with the andragogy and pedagogy, it made me realize that not everyone learns at their own pace. Children are learning through their teachers, while adults are learning because they are interested in the materials being taught. However, we need to realize that not all adults are wanting to learn through the andragogy theory and sometimes they will need to learn through the pedagogy theory.
In my future professional practice, I can use this information to collaborate with other educators. I will be able to use what I have learned and help others learn in new ways. Having a positive attitude goes a long way with using the Andragogy Theory while learning (Smith, 2017). Understanding that everyone has something to give while teaching is something to take into count. Being able to create lessons that is engaging to others and listening to how I can improve on my practices will help me grow in the future.
References
Awesome chart on " Pedagogy vs andragogy ". (2013, May 4). Educational Technology and Mobile Learning. https://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/05/awesome-chart-on-pedagogy-vs-andragogy.html
Smith, M. (2013, April 4). Malcolm Knowles, informal adult education, self-direction and andragogy. infed. https://infed.org/mobi/malcolm-knowles-informal-adult-education-self-direction-and-andragogy/
