From Andragogy to Heutagogy

Link to article (By Stewart Hase and Chris Kenyon)
"...This paper suggests there is benefit in moving from andragogy towards truly self-determined learning. The concept of truly self-determined learning, called heutagogy, builds on humanistic theory and approaches to learning described in the 1950s. It is suggested that heutagogy is appropriate to the needs of learners in the twenty-first century, particularly in the development of individual capability. A number of implications of heutagogy for higher education and vocational education are discussed."

"A heutagogical approach recognises the need to be flexible in the learning where the teacher provides resources but the learner designs the actual course he or she might take by negotiating the learning. Thus learners might read around critical issues or questions and determine what is of interest and relevance to them and then negotiate further reading and assessment tasks. With respect to the latter, assessment becomes more of a learning experience rather than a means to measure attainment. As teachers we should concern ourselves with developing the learner?s capability not just embedding discipline based skills and knowledge. We should relinquish any power we deem ourselves to have."

Heutagogy promotes a self-determined learning approach beyond the reality of most of today's Universities. It will surely empower learners increasingly in determining their future education! Though, are learners ready to take this role of responsibility of designing their own courses (or program)? Also, are Universities or the current generation of teachers and lecturers prepared for such a revolution on par with Andragogy? It will be interesting to see how heutagogy or similar theories will affect the learning process both in the higher learning and corporate sectors in the coming years.

In the meantime let's learn more about Heutagogy.