Title : Pedagogy vs andragogy: Educating nursing students through another lens
Abstract:
In response to the nursing shortage, exacerbated by the pandemic, nursing schools have prioritized ensuring that practice-ready nurses entering the workforce. The prevalent concept in nursing education literature and curricular approaches is pedagogical education, rooted in traditional instructor-centered teaching. However, this approach may hinder the development of practice-ready nurses. Andragogy, an alternative approach, is learner-centered and specifically designed for adults. It recognizes adults as self-directed and motivated by relevance, drawing upon their life experiences, supported by Knowles adult learning theory. Andragogy emphasizes active participation, problem-solving, and collaborative learning. Applying andragogical approaches to nursing education significantly enhances the preparation of practice-ready nurses. Aligning the curriculum with real-world nursing scenarios and emphasizing the immediate applicability of knowledge and skills makes nursing education more meaningful to adult learners. This approach better equips them for the challenges of clinical practice. Practice-ready nurses must engage in ongoing self-directed learning throughout their careers. Andragogical methods promote self-directed learning by encouraging nurses to take ownership of their education, fostering a sense of responsibility for staying updated on best practices. Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills are essential in navigating complex healthcare environments, and andragogical methods, such as active case-based learning, help develop these skills. As the healthcare field evolves, practice-ready nurses must be adaptable to changes in technology, protocols, and evidence-based practices. Andragogical methods emphasizing flexibility in learning, exposure to diverse experiences, and the ability to adapt to different situations contribute to the development of nurses who are flexible and adaptable in their professional roles. In nursing education, the choice between andragogy and pedagogy depends on the context and characteristics of the learners. Pedagogical approaches are more suitable for younger, less experienced students, while andragogical approaches are effective in settings where nurses are continuing their education or pursuing advanced degrees, emphasizing self-directed learning and real-world relevance.
Audience Take Away:
- By the end of this presentation, learners will be able to describe how andragogical approaches to curriculum design and development can be used in the classroom setting. Through a discussion on andragogy and the current literature in nursing education, attendees will be able to articulate various andragogical approaches to education to use in nursing content development and design, both applicable to the prelicensure nursing student and continuing education for licensed nurses
- By the end of this presentation, learners will have explored different approaches to andragogical course design and describe the pros and cons. Participants will be able to identify elements of teaching methods specific to adult learning, understand the impact of transitioning to a learner centered design through providing ownership and engagement back to the learner
- By the end of the presentation, learners will be able to describe the benefits of integrating andragogical methods of teaching into their practice. Through discussion they will have explored the why a leaner-centered design for adult learners emphasizes flexibility in learning and exposure to diverse experiences
- Any participant in the audience who teaching in a nursing program or educates nurses at the bedside will benefit from understanding the differences in repositioning how they teach with the adult learner in mind thereby increasing knowledge retention and improving the practice ready nurse for the changing clinical environment.
