Adults learn differently than children due to life stage, social, cultural, and cognitive variables. Since approximately 1966, research has been available on andragogy, the application of teaching adults, and has grown in breadth and depth since that time. The actual application of instruction in higher education often focuses on pedagogy which traditionally targets the teaching of children. This presentation will inform on the literature involved in andragogy and apply that information specifically to efforts for enhancement of library instruction and reference services in the higher education environment.
This presentation, demonstrated through the lens of planning and preparation of instruction service enhancements at Lee Library, Crowder College, focuses on applications in an initial piloted library instruction class. The class is for the discipline of speech and is scheduled for rollout in Fall 2019. The librarian instructs students on advanced database searching. The presenter discusses the traditional structure of the library instruction session versus the andragogy driven method and the initial findings regarding success of instructional method shifts.
