The Adult Learner

"A great update of a classic. Should be required reading for anyone involved with adult learning in schools, businesses and communities."

Sam Stern, Professor & Dean, School of Education, Oregon State University, USA

How do you tailor education to the learning needs of adults? Do they learn differently from children? How does their life experience inform their learning processes?

These were the questions at the heart of Malcolm Knowles’ pioneering theory of andragogy which transformed education theory in the 1970s. The resulting principles of a self-directed, experiential, problem-centred approach to learning have been hugely influential and are still the basis of the learning practices we use today. Understanding these principles is the cornerstone of increasing motivation and enabling adult learners to achieve.

This update of a pioneering classic contains all Knowles’ original chapters alongside a newer second part by Elwood "Ed" Holton and Richard A Swanson charting the advancements on these core principles. A third section includes selected readings from previous editions to illustrate the theory’s evolution, as well as important articles from other key experts around the world for a comprehensive view.

This new edition includes:

• New chapter outlines, learning objectives and careful edits of Malcolm Knowles’ work to simplify the original theory

• Updates to the second part to reflect the very latest advancements in the field

• Revisions throughout to make it more readable and relevant to your practices.

If you are a specialist or student in education, an adult learning practitioner, training manager, or involved in human resource development, this is the definitive book in adult learning you shouldn’t be without.

Elwood F. Holton is Jones S Davis Distinguished Professor of Human Resource, Leadership and Organizational Development, School of Human Resource Education, Louisiana State University.
Richard A. Swanson is Professor Emeritus of Human Resource Development and Adult Education, University of Minnesota. Dr. Swanson is a leading authority on how to develop and unleash human potential in organizations. His website is http://www.richardswanson.com/
Malcolm S. Knowles was one of the nation's loading authorities on adult education and training. He was the founding executive director of the Adult Education Association, and Professor of Adult and Community College Education at North Carolina State University.