I have learned that the foundations of adult learning can be traced back to 1968 when Knowles coined the term 'andragogy', which refers to a field of science that emphasizes helping adults and adult learning theories. Teachers can benefit from understanding Knowles' theory about adult learners and the five basic assumptions that can be made about adult learners: they bring with them many life experiences; their learning needs changes as their social roles change; they want to use their new-found knowledge immediately; they have internal motivators; and they want to be informed as to why material is being taught. Rogers was similar to Knowles because he believes adult learners need to learn in non-threatening environments. Rogers is known for his theories about having students learn by doing, which can include service learning and internships. Teachers of adult students should use this knowledge of these two educational pioneers to create meaningful lessons and assignments.
