To better understand this, we need to clarify the term pedagogy and andragogy and the difference between the two, particularly as they are applied to vocational education and training subjects. Pedagogy in its simplest explanation is “the art or activity of teaching” (Kemmis, 2012 p. 83). It is the view of the learner as a dependent, utilising teaching methods like lectures, assigned readings, drills, quizzes, note memorising and examinations (Leong, 2023). These teaching methods being applied to a very child-like learning environment, take the assumption, that the learner is a blank canvas with little to no life experiences or knowledge. Andragogy is the view that the learner is independent. According to Thorton (1973), “From Pedagogy to Andragogy”, andragogy is the natural progression of self-directed learning and maturity, attaching more meaning to their learning experiences, with the want to apply their gained knowledge to their life and living more effectively tomorrow.
Reference
Kemmis, S. (n.d.). Pedagogy, Praxis and Practice-Based Higher Education. In Practice-Based Education (pp. 81–100). SensePublishers. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6209-128-3_7
Loeng, S. (2023). Pedagogy and andragogy in comparison – conceptions and perspectives. Studies in Adult Education and Learning, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.4312/as/11482
Thornton, J. (1973). Modern practice of adult education – andragogy versus pedagogy. Association Press.