Pedagogy

Definitions

Pedagogy

Any systematic choice and use of procedures, methods, prescriptions, and devices in order to bring about effective, efficient, and productive learning.

Andragogy

In contrast to pedagogy, which generally refers to teaching children in a classroom setting, andragogy refers to teaching adults.

Heutagogy

“Leading the self”. Learner-centred learning that sees the learner as the major agent in their own learning, which occurs as a result of personal experiences.

Perspectives on learning

• Behaviourism (stimulus-response)
  • Can’t explain language learning
• Social learning (monkey-see, monkey do)
• Cognitivism (brain connects new knowledge to existing knowledge)
• Sociocultural (learning is influenced by those around you)

It is a common misconception that these fields were developed one after the other. This is only true in America. Sociocultural and cognitivist perspectives were being published in Russia and France, respectively, at the same time as behaviourism was being published in America.

Sociocultural learning

Principles of adult learning

• Knowing why
• Self-concept (autonomy)
• Prior experience
• Readiness to learn (when relevant to their lives)
• Learning orientation (problem-focused, rather than content-focused)
• Internal motivation