Andragogy refers to the methods and principles used in adult education. The term comes from the Greek words ἀνδρ- (andr-), meaning "adult male", and ἀγωγός (agogos), meaning "leader of". Therefore, andragogy literally means "leading men", whereas "pedagogy" literally means "leading children". It is the study of how adults learn and is also known as instructional design and human-centered design. Andragogy is based on a self-directed, independent learning method for adults and defines the best practices for teaching adults. It focuses on student-led instruction with the teacher as a facilitator, in contrast to pedagogy, which is focused on teacher-led instruction.
In summary, andragogy is a theory that emphasizes the unique characteristics of adult learners and provides a framework for effective adult education. It recognizes the importance of self-directed learning and the role of the teacher as a facilitator in the adult learning process.
