Malcolm Knowles (1913-1997) emphasized the importance of relevant and experiential learning, advocating that education should tap into people's natural curiosity. He believed educators must remove barriers to learning motivation, such as negative self-concept and inaccessibility of opportunities. While focused on adult education, Knowles' theories are applicable to learners of all ages.

1. Malcolm Knowles
August, 1913 – November, 1997

2. The Early Influences
• Father and Mother
• Teachers
• Miss Utely – 4th grade, recognized Malcolm’s academic ability
• Mr. Sargeant – Principle promoted self-concept
• Miss Anderson – High school English teacher
• Boy Scouts
• Scout-master – leadership and ambition
• Experiences at Harvard
• Edward R. Murrow interview for student delegate scholarship

3. Malcolm Knowles believed
that people are naturally
curious and the task of
education is to help learners
realize their “need to know.”

4. Learning needs to be relevant
and experiential so that the
learner will connect with the
content and it will last.

5. The challenge for educators is to
remove barriers to learning
motivation such as negative self-
concept, inaccessibility of
opportunities, & time constraints

6. Although his field of study
was Adult Education,
Knowles’ theories apply to all
learners, regardless of age.