It's Called Andragogy

Abstract

Despite radical changes in teaching assumptions, management educators have continued to use the archaic term pedagogy to describe their work. The word pedagogy refers specifically to children and assumptions for teaching children. Thus, pedagogy does not encompass the needs of adults common in management classrooms today. To ensure congruence with the emerging management teaching methods, we advocate adoption of the term andragogy. Such a word focuses on the adult learner and creation of an independent, adaptable individual. Underpinning andragogy are four assumptions regarding learning: a self-directing self-concept; use of experience; a readiness to learn; and a performance-centered orientation to learning. Management educators already use techniques that take advantage of these andragogical assumptions. Adoption of the term andragogy would align the philosophy of management educators with the current dynamic instructional strategies already in use.