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Instructional
Design & Learning Theories
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Instructional design is the process for systematically creating effective instruction based on learner needs and requirements. Distance education scholars content that instructional design is key to developing successful distance education courses.
Pedagogy vs. Andragogy
Research about instructional design often includes discussions about pedagogical strategies. Pedagogy is "the art or practice of teaching." The application of technologies to enhance teaching and learning has been coined e-Learning pedagogy.
Some researchers
in adult learning theory argue that pedagogy is not always appropriate
for teaching adults because pedagogy focuses on the non-adult learner.
Malcolm
Knowles introduced the concept of andragogy, "the art and science
of helping adults learn." Knowles is often referred to as the "father
of adult learning theory." He argues that andragogy is a more accurate
concept for teaching and learning in higher education.
Andragogy
is based on the following principles:
- Adults need to be involved in the planning and evaluation of their instruction.
- Experience (including mistakes) provides the basis for learning activities.
- Adults are most interested in learning subjects that have immediate relevance to their job or personal life.
- Adult learning is problem-centered rather than content-oriented.
Knowles and
other scholars suggest that faculty should play the role of the facilitator,
in contrast to the traditional faculty role of lecturer. The responsibility
of the faculty member should shift from the "sage on stage"
to the "guide on the side" in a student-centered learning model.
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