Editing Andragogy (section)

== Principles ==
Adult learning is based upon comprehension, organization and synthesis of knowledge rather than rote memory. Some scholars have proposed seven principles of adult learning:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.literacy.ca/professionals/professional-development-2/principles-of-adult-learning/|title=Principles of Adult Learning|publisher=literacy.ca|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140217103828/http://www.literacy.ca/professionals/professional-development-2/principles-of-adult-learning/|archive-date=2014-02-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://communitycolleges.wy.edu/Data/Sites/1/commissionFiles/abe/training/abe-ntt/mod-6-articles/ntt---module-6---fs-11-teal-center-adult-learning-theory-fact-sheet-air-logo-rev12-06-11.pdf|title=TEAL Center Fact Sheet No. 11: Adult Learning Theories|year=2011|publisher=TEAL|access-date=2016-12-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215125941/http://communitycolleges.wy.edu/Data/Sites/1/commissionFiles/abe/training/abe-ntt/mod-6-articles/ntt---module-6---fs-11-teal-center-adult-learning-theory-fact-sheet-air-logo-rev12-06-11.pdf|archive-date=2017-12-15}}</ref>

*Adults must want to learn: They learn effectively only when they are free to direct their own learning and have a strong inner motivation to develop a new skill or acquire a particular type of knowledge, this sustains learning.
*Adults must feel they need to learn: Adults are practical in their approach to learning; they want to know, "How is this going to help me right now? Is it relevant (content, connection, and application) and does it meet my targeted goals?"
*Adults learn by doing: Adolescents learn by doing, but adults learn through active practice and participation{{Clarify|date=February 2022|reason=What is the difference between "doing" and "active practice and participation"?}}. This helps in integrating component skills into a coherent whole.  
*Adult learning focuses on problem solving: Adolescents tend to learn skills sequentially. Adults tend to start with a problem and then work to find a solution. A meaningful engagement, such as posing and answering realistic questions and problems is necessary for deeper learning. This leads to more elaborate, longer lasting, and stronger representations of the knowledge (Craik & Lockhart, 1972). 
*Experience affects adult learning: Adults have more experience than adolescents. This can be an asset and a liability, if prior knowledge is inaccurate, incomplete, or immature, it can interfere with or distort the integration of incoming information (Clement, 1982; National Research Council, 2000).
*Adults learn best in an informal situation: Adolescents have to follow a curriculum. Often, adults learn by taking responsibility for the value and need of content they have to understand and the particular goals it will achieve. Being in an inviting, collaborative and networking environment as an active participant in the learning process makes it efficient.
*Adults want guidance and consideration as equal partners in the process: Adults want information that will help them improve their situation. They do not want to be told what to do and they evaluate what helps and what doesn't. They want to choose options based on their individual needs and the meaningful impact a learning engagement could provide. Socialization is more important among adults.<ref>{{cite web|title=Adult Learning Techniques|website=Aacp.org|url=http://www.aacp.org/meetingsandevents/presenterresources/Documents/AdultLearningTips.pdf|access-date=2015-09-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426084556/http://www.aacp.org/meetingsandevents/presenterresources/Documents/AdultLearningTips.pdf|archive-date=2015-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Educating adult learners: twelve tips for teaching business professionals|website=University of Oklahoma, Tulsa, U.S.A|url=http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED502732.pdf|access-date=2016-10-11|archive-date=2014-05-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513065309/http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED502732.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>