What is the Difference Between Pedagogy Andragogy and Heutagogy?

05/15/2025 • Matheus Moraes

The key difference between pedagogy, andragogy, and heutagogy lies in the nature of the learners and the roles of the educators. Here is a comparison of the three approaches:

  1. Pedagogy: This approach focuses on teaching children or dependent learners. In pedagogy, the learner is a dependent personality, and the teacher determines what, how, and when anything is learned. The teacher-led learning process helps students gain knowledge and skills, developing their problem-solving behaviors. The teacher is responsible for deciding how and what is taught, and the students are dependent on the teacher for guidance.
  2. Andragogy: This approach is focused on adult learning and is based on the principle that adults are self-directed learners. In andragogy, the learner is an independent adult who strives for autonomy and self-direction in learning. The learning process is task or problem-centered, and the role of the teacher is passive, acting more as a facilitator than a teacher. The motivation for learning comes from internal sources, such as self-esteem and confidence. Andragogy is often used in conjunction with heutagogy, as adults can shift between self-directed and self-managed learning.
  3. Heutagogy: This approach is focused on managing learning for self-managed learners. In heutagogy, learners are interdependent and identify the potential to learn from novel experiences as a matter of course. They are able to manage their own learning, and the teacher provides resources but leaves the path by negotiating the learning to the learner. Heutagogy is a learner-centered approach that emphasizes self-directed learning and the development of learner capabilities.

In summary, the main differences between pedagogy, andragogy, and heutagogy are the types of learners they focus on (dependent, self-directed, or self-managed) and the roles of the educators in guiding and supporting the learners.

Comparative Table: Pedagogy Andragogy vs Heutagogy

Here is a table comparing Pedagogy, Andragogy, and Heutagogy:

Aspect Pedagogy (Children's Learning) Andragogy (Adults Learning) Heutagogy (Self-Directed Learning)
Dependence Learner is dependent. Teacher determines what, how, and when. Learners can go beyond problem-solving by enabling pro-activity. Learners use their own and others' experiences and internal processes such as reflection, environmental scanning, experience, interaction with others, and pro-active as well as problem-solving behaviors. Motivation comes from external sources, such as parents, teachers, and a sense of competition.

This table is based on the information from the search results.

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