Pedagogy to Heutagogy

Gen Z

Teaching today’s learners requires an understanding of different approaches to teaching that cater to various developmental levels. These approaches—pedagogy, andragogy, and heutagogy—can be thought of as being on a learning spectrum, with the role of the instructor evolving to guide learners towards greater self-efficacy.

Foundations of Learning: Pedagogy, Andragogy, and Heutagogy

Pedagogy: The art or science of teaching younger learners. This approach focuses on meeting essential developmental stages before progressing to the next level. Key theories informing pedagogy include:

  • Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development
  • Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Social Learning

Pedagogical teaching emphasizes structured learning with a fixed set of capabilities and aims.

Andragogy: The art or science of teaching adult learners. This approach emphasizes personal and professional development, characterized by Malcolm Knowles’ six assumptions about adult learners:

  1. They need to know the “why” (relevancy).
  2. They are self-directed (self-concept).
  3. Experiences matter and are a source of learning.
  4. They come with a readiness to learn.
  5. They have a need for immediate application.
  6. They are intrinsically motivated.

These characteristics provide a framework but may vary among individual learners.

Heutagogy: Managing self-managed learners. This approach focuses on self-determination theory, encouraging learners to find problems and questions independently, with instructors providing resources and context.

Strategic Course Planning: Questions to Guide Your Approach

To effectively transition between these approaches, consider the following questions for course design:

  1. What is the context of the course? Is it a required or elective course? How does it fit within the broader curriculum?
  2. Who are the potential learners? What expectations might they have regarding the course and its instructional methods?
  3. What are the intended learning outcomes? Why are specific teaching strategies, methods, assignments, and experiences selected?

Selecting the Right Instructional Lens

Gen Z

Moving beyond traditional pedagogy requires intentional design and reflection:

  • Pedagogy may be appropriate for introductory or freshman-level courses.
  • Andragogy can be effective for advanced courses aimed at juniors or seniors.
  • Heutagogy is suitable for internships and self-directed learning experiences.

McAuliffe et al. (2008) argue that reverting to pedagogical methods is common, but shifting towards andragogy or heutagogy requires understanding situational factors and adapting teaching methods accordingly.

Next Steps

To effectively apply these teaching approaches, make it a habit to revisit your course design with fresh eyes and reflect on your instructional choices. Regular reflection supports a learner-centered environment and helps you adapt your teaching to promote growth across the full spectrum of learning—from pedagogy to heutagogy.

Resources and Tools 

  • Knowles, M. S. (1980). The modern practice of adult education. Cambridge Press.

  • McAuliffe, M. B., Hargreaves, D. J., Winter, A. J., & Chadwick, G. (2008). Does pedagogy still rule? Proceedings from the 19th Annual Conference of Australasian Association for Engineer Education.