Integrating andragogical philosophy with Indigenous teaching and learning

Abstract

Recent Australian research has identified that the success of an Indigenous business greatly relies on the business acumen of its owner. Whilst business education offered through Business Schools is seemingly open to all, Indigenous Australian participation in these educational offerings have been low. In contrast the number of Indigenous businesses emerging in Australia over the past decade is building a demand for Indigenous specific business education offerings. The MURRA Indigenous Business Master Class at Melbourne Business School is such an example of an Indigenous business education program. We discuss how this program implements an andragogical philosophy into the Indigenous teaching and learning approach of business education to take into consideration an individual’s cultural and business knowledge to contextualise business learning. This paper identifies a framework of andragogy principles that contributes to the learning environment for Indigenous entrepreneurs. We identify four key learning principles and offer an evidence based model to progress business education. Through well designed Indigenous business education, business education can provide Indigenous entrepreneurs with an effective learning environment that integrates their cultural identity, highlights Indigenous knowledges and allows for the development of skills to support self-determination practices.