Andragogy and teaching techniques to enhance adult learners’ experience

Abstract

Nurse educators need to be cognizant of their instructional methods to ensure they are using appropriate techniques to effectively teach students as adult learners. Andragogy is the practice of teaching adult learners; its role and application in concept-based nursing education in the online, classroom, and clinical teaching contexts are explored in this reflective literature review. Concept-based curriculum is a method of teaching that utilizes active learning strategies to aid in developing critical thinking skills and knowledge comprehension. Reflections on incorporating andragogy to teach in a concept-based curriculum in nursing by a novice educator is also presented along with selected teaching techniques that has been utilized to solidify nursing students learning. It has been shown that non-traditional teaching techniques such as simulation, case studies, debates, and creating a “flipped” classroom can be effective in applying andragogy in a concept-based curriculum model. Incorporating andragogy within the concept-based curriculum is vital for equipping nursing students with necessary critical thinking and reflection skills required for nursing practice.