This document discusses three theories of adult learning: Malcolm Knowles' theory of andragogy, Carl Rogers' person-centered approach, and Paulo Freire's theory of transformative learning. Knowles emphasized that adults are self-directed and draw on life experiences in learning. Rogers placed importance on empathy and relevance to learners' needs. He also saw learning to learn as important. Freire viewed learning as a social act aimed at liberation, using dialogue between learner and teacher to understand problems and construct meaning.

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Adult Learning
Reflection Exercise- Consider your own learning
journey as a river or road – Draw what you
perceive it to have been.
What barriers did you face?
What approaches/strategies did you embrace?
Did you take a ‘deep’ or ‘surface’ approach to
learning?
Would you consider learning to learn an
important concept? Why?

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Theories of Adult LearningTheories of Adult Learning
Let’s examine 3 theories of adult
learning and their relationship to
adult literacy.
• Malcolm Knowles- AndragogyMalcolm Knowles- Andragogy
• Carl Rogers- Person-CentredCarl Rogers- Person-Centred
( Humanist)( Humanist)
• Paulo Freire- Transformative LearningPaulo Freire- Transformative Learning
(Literacy for change)(Literacy for change)

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Malcolm Knowles American Educator-Malcolm Knowles American Educator-
Andragogy-Andragogy-
1. Adults –self directed and
autonomous. Not always the case!!!!
2. Life experience to draw upon. Skills
and knowledge attained.
3. Immediate requirement –learning
required for application in immediate
situation.-Driver Theory/ Children’s
homework / Time- sheets

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Knowles’ - Theory of AndragogyKnowles’ - Theory of Andragogy
• Are all adults self-directed?- Learner may
require all powerful tutor!- Can lead to
dependence- Lack of motivation.
•Readiness to learn- Is this always present?
Need to identify and sustain motivation- Set
achievable goals together and review progress.
Not so much a theory but a set of guidelines for
literacy practice.

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Carl-Rogers: Person - centred approach
Goal through learning is to become
fully functional person.
•Humans have a natural inclination to learn.
•Learning must be relevant to needs.
• No external threats should impinge on the
process.
•Learning to learn –Important aspect of
theory.

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Carl Rogers’Carl Rogers’ influence on Adulton Adult
LiteracyLiteracy
•Places emphasis on the whole person- Personal development
alongside functional skills of R, W, L, S etc.
• Needs to be empathy and realness in the facilitation of learning-
Be yourself / Recognise the effects of literacy difficulties.
• Cites learning to learn as important component–Vital aspect of
literacy provision. Adults returning to learning.
( Work on thinking, organisational and learning skills)
• Requires a safe learning environment. Implies no threats or
pressures from outside. Confidential/Trusting/Respectful/
Recognise the effects of past learning experiences.

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LEARNING IS CHANGE IN PARTICIPATION
Liberating power of education- Theory influenced by a
mix of Marxist philosophy and Christian Liberation
theology.
Worked with poor, illiterate population of Brazil.
“ Pedagogy of the Oppressed”
Method based upon dialogue between learner and
teacher.
Learning from each other- Learning is a social act.
Paolo Freire- Brazilian Literacy Educator

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• Understand ‘the word and the world’- Literacy learned within
the context of transformation/change.
• Active experience – Student centred / Problem posing. Not
traditional (banking) method.
• Implies that it’s the problem that’s central to the dialogue and
not the person’ as in Roger’s theory. Implication for teaching
then is exploring the problem together to see where meaning
can be constructed.