Andragogy and Distance Education: Together in the New Millennium

Abstract

Andragogy, as promulgated by the late Malcolm Knowles, is a set of assumptions designed to facilitate adult learning and program planning. Distance education is a process of delivering education used extensively by adult learners. Burge (1988) proposed that the implications of andragogy to distance education be examined. This article continues in that direction. Following a brief overview of andragogical development, the author presents andragogy as a framework for discussing distance education programs designed for the adult learner. Andragogically compatible processes, such as the “general to specific” approach for developing learning contracts and individualizing course projects, and the “group charter” concept for learner participation in asynchronous discussion forums, are presented and discussed as examples of applying andragogy to climate setting and learner involvement in distance education settings.