Pedagogy vs. Andragogy vs. Heutagogy: Understanding Learning Styles Across Lifespan

Traditionally, the prevailing image of education shows young children seated in classrooms, eager and attentive, depending on teachers to impart their knowledge and experience. This classic image is called pedagogy, or the science of teaching children, and is derived from the Greek word for child (paidi) and guide (ago).

But where do adult learners fall in this scenario? Andragogy, or the science of teaching adults, is derived from the Greek word for man (andras) and differs greatly from pedagogy in its practice. As education continues to evolve, a third model called heutagogy has gained recognition. Heutagogy focuses even more heavily on learner autonomy, empowering individuals to define what and how they learn, with an emphasis on developing their capabilities rather than just acquiring knowledge. 

Understanding these three learning models provides a useful framework for educators, institutions, and learners to choose instructional approaches that align with different stages of life and levels of learner independence. Keep reading to learn more about the key differences among pedagogy, andragogy, and heutagogy.

What Is Pedagogy?

Pedagogy, or “leading the young,” refers mainly to developing foundational habits of thinking and acting. Within pedagogy, a teacher's main role is to provide opportunities for students to learn through experiences. For example, the coveted positions of “line leader” or “door holder” in school demonstrate the importance of leadership and service to children. Or, when a teacher changes the volume of their voice from the playground to the classroom when speaking to students, they are exemplifying the need for behavioral awareness.

4 Types of Pedagogy

Educators use many types of pedagogy to assist their classroom management and instruction and to address varying classroom needs, learning goals, and student behaviors. The four main forms of pedagogy are:

1. Behaviorism: The belief that a student’s behavior is affected and reinforced by external forces rather than internal forces. Positive reinforcement is the most well-known form of behaviorism and is used often in teaching children through reinforcing desired behavior with a reward.
2. Constructivism: The idea that students create their own learning based on previous knowledge and experience. Teachers act more as a guide to help students understand and “construct” their processes and applications to further their learning.
3. Social Constructivism: A blend of two methods, social constructivism incorporates teacher-guided and student-centered instruction. This concept believes that the group is greater than the individual and allows the students to influence and form outcomes.
4. Liberationism: The practice of placing the students’ opinions at the center of developing the learning environment, wherein the classroom is often managed democratically.

What Is Andragogy?

Adult learners are typically self-directed and draw upon prior experience to solve complex problems, which necessitates instructional approaches that emphasize knowledge retention, higher-order problem-solving, and independent thinking.

The methods used to teach adults are different from those traditionally used to educate children. For instance, using a behavior chart with colorful stickers to motivate children to remain quiet during reading time is ineffective in adult learning. Most adult learners are already actively working in a career or field of interest, from medicine to engineering to business, and they require specialized instruction to guide and develop necessary skills. The field of adult education is constantly evolving with new practices and theories.

6 Principles of Andragogy

Developed by adult learning theorists such as Malcolm Knowles, these principles describe the conditions that help adults learn most effectively and should be incorporated into andragogical practice. They include the following:

Why and How

For adult learners, it’s crucial that they know the “why” of what they are learning. Being able to answer, “Why is this principle important to my life?” is essential for the student to understand “how” they can apply new knowledge. For example, if an individual wants to increase their income and advance to a leadership position at work but can’t do so without a specialized degree, then the degree becomes a vehicle for their professional goal.

Experience

Adults enter a new learning environment with experience that informs their identity and abilities. It’s important to consider this life or career experience as a key part of the learning process when teachingadults. For example, a CNA has hours of experience in patient care. Their ability to understand and solve a problem in healthcare is significantly greater than that of a first-time nursing student.

Self-concept

Most adults have moved from dependent to independent learning, a state that greatly impacts self-awareness and autonomy. Educators must consider this independence when building course deadlines and modules.

Readiness

Since most adult learners are already in the workforce, their education needs to be approachable, flexible, and readily applicable. For example, a working mom who is going to school online needs accessible education outside of the normal nine-to-five schedule.

Problem Orientation

A focus on practical problems and solutions is imperative to engaging and effective adult learning. Many adult learners aren’t looking for hypotheticals but actual skills that can help them in their current careers.

Intrinsic Motivation

For andragogy to be most effective, it’s important to give adults intrinsic, or internal, motivation by recognizing their success and promoting increased self-esteem and confidence. With a more nuanced and advanced hierarchy of needs than children, adult learners place more value on self-actualization.

What Is Heutagogy?

Heutagogy, a term coined by Stewart Hase and Chris Kenyon, describes an approach to learning where the learner takes full responsibility for deciding what and how they learn. Unlike pedagogy and andragogy, heutagogy emphasizes the development of capability, not just competency, encouraging non-linear and flexible learning paths. This model puts learner autonomy at the forefront, empowering individuals to determine their own learning goals, resources, and evaluation methods.

A key distinction between andragogy and heutagogy is the shift from self-directed to self-determined learning. While andragogy supports adults in guiding their own learning processes, heutagogy expects learners to manage their own goals, pacing, and methods independently. There is a strong focus on meta-learning, or learning how to learn, which helps individuals adapt to new and changing situations throughout life.

Heutagogy is especially powerful in contexts such as lifelong learning, advanced professional development, self-paced online education, capstone projects, and for highly motivated adult learners ready to chart their own educational journeys.

Differences Among Andragogy, Pedagogy, and Heutagogy

While these three approaches differ significantly, they are best understood as complementary models that reflect varying levels of learner dependence, motivation, and autonomy. The key differences in methods and motivations among pedagogy, andragogy, and heutagogy include:

Dependence

• Andragogy: Adults are independent and desire to be self-directed and empowered in their learning.
• Pedagogy: Children are dependent on the teacher to facilitate and structure their learning.
• Heutagogy: Learners are highly autonomous and self-determined, taking full responsibility for their learning process.

Learning Reasons

• Andragogy: Learning focuses on acquiring skills or knowledge necessary for personal and professional development.
• Pedagogy: Learning focuses on achieving essential developmental stages to progress to the next level.
• Heutagogy: Learning focuses on mastering the ability to learn, fostering independence and preparing for complex, unpredictable challenges.

Learning Resources

• Andragogy: Adults rely on their own experiences and the experiences of others to deepen their understanding of the curriculum.
• Pedagogy: Children depend on the teacher to provide all learning resources and create engaging methods for knowledge retention.
• Heutagogy: Learners adapt and innovate, leveraging resources to navigate complex and rapidly changing environments.

Learning Focus

• Andragogy: Learning is problem-centered, addressing real-life or current challenges.
• Pedagogy: Learning is subject-centered, following a prescriptive curriculum.
• Heutagogy: Learning is self-directed, emphasizing exploration, experimentation, and adaptability.

Motivation

• Andragogy: Motivation is driven by internal factors, such as self-esteem, confidence, and recognition.
• Pedagogy: Motivation is driven by external factors, such as parents, teachers, and tangible rewards.
• Heutagogy: Motivation is intrinsic, with a strong emphasis on ownership and curiosity about one’s learning journey.

Teacher’s Role

• Andragogy: The teacher acts as a facilitator, fostering collaboration, mutual respect, and openness.
• Pedagogy: The teacher acts as an expert, providing knowledge, skills, and structure.
• Heutagogy: The teacher acts as a guide and mentor, empowering learners to set goals and explore knowledge independently.

Why Choose WGU?

Do you want to impact the next generation of learners? Then check out WGU’s online teaching degree programs. Whether you’re looking to begin a career in education or further your expertise, WGU degrees can help you step confidently into the classroom in any of the 50 states.

Have you considered going back to school to gain the skills needed for a new career? Are you finally at a place to focus on your education? There are many reasons to become an adult learner. WGU offers the support and flexibility needed to earn a degree at your own pace and comfort level.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How is information delivered in pedagogy, andragogy, and heutagogy? While pedagogy emphasizes teacher-led instruction and andragogy prioritizes student-led learning with the teacher as a facilitator, heutagogy takes it a step further by focusing on self-determined learning, where the learner assumes full autonomy in deciding what and how to learn.
• What does andragogy mean? Andragogy is the practice of teaching adults.
• What is pedagogy? Pedagogy is the practice of teaching children.
• What is heutagogy? Heutagogy is the practice of self-determined learning, where learners take full responsibility for their own educational process.