NCJ Number
192307
Journal
Police Quarterly Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2001 Pages: 233-252
Date Published
June 2001
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This article examines the incorporation of the theory of andragogy into methods of police training.
Abstract
Knowles, a strong proponent of self-directed learning and the teacher's role as a facilitator of knowledge, is well known for his theory of andragogy. Knowles (1990) stated that "andragogy is a theory that is vastly in contrast to the traditional pedagogical model, and it advocates both the self-directed learning concept and the teacher as the facilitator of learning." Knowles distinguishes between "pedagogy" as the science of helping children learn and "andragogy" as the art and science of helping adults learn. The writings of Knowles are replete with the message of self-directed learning and learning based on the experience of the student. The andragogical approach appears to be a viable technique when teaching many of the courses in a police training curriculum. This article discusses the use of this teaching technique in courses that relate to interpersonal communications, cultural diversity, problem solving, mediation and conflict resolution, and police-community relations. Andragogy, with its emphasis on self-directed and continuous learning, past experience of the learner and others, and the trainer as facilitator of knowledge, is one effective means to redesign police training and align it with the changes required for the community-policing philosophy. 36 references