What Is Heutagogy?
We all use the term ‘pedagogy’ in a quite free and easy manner when talking about teaching and learning but there is another ‘gogy’ we might be less familiar with – heutagogy.
Born in 2000, heutagogy is another way of saying self-directed learning although some prefer the term self-determined learning. (* see comments below). Either way, it is learner-centered and centres on the ‘guru within‘.
Simply stated, it means that some of us learn best when we have a lot of control over what we learn and how we learn it. This is learning as an active and proactive process where learners are the chief agent in their own learning.
The principles of heutagogy are outlined in Hase and Kenyon (2013):
There are four key principles:
- Learning when the learner is ready: the learner has a role in controlling the process of learning, making their own decisions about pace according to need and interest
- Learning is seen as a complex process requiring the learner to move beyond knowledge and skills – it is not regurgitation, copying, modelling; it requires new connections and more inventive insights to be made
- Learner does not depend solely on the teacher and can be triggered by an experience beyond the control of the teacher
- Learning is focused on the student not on a syllabus: it is about what the pupil needs to know and chooses to explore to advance their learning
These elements of the approach lead in turn to:
- Self-sufficiency in learning – having the confidence to explore new avenues
- Reflexivity – the ability to take on board the implications of learning and to change ways of thinking and acting as a result
- Application of what is learnt – so that connections are made beyond content/theory alone
- Positive learning values – learning becomes a pleasurable experience indulged in for its own sake.
The principles have also been more recently considered in Hase, S. (2014a):
- involve the learner in designing their own learning content and process as a partner;
- make the curriculum flexible so that new questions and understanding can be explored as new neuronal pathways are developed;
- recognise that learning is non-linear;
- individualise learning as much as possible,
- provide flexible or negotiated assessment;
- enable the learner to contextualise concepts, knowledge and new understanding;
- use experiential learning techniques;
- facilitate collaborative learning;
- facilitate reflection, and double loop and triple loop learning (metacognition);
- provide lots of resources and let the learner explore;
- develop research skills including how to be discerning about ideas and content;
- differentiate between knowledge and skill acquisition (competencies) and deep learning;
- recognize the importance of informal learning and that we only need to enable it rather than control it;
- have confidence in the learner;
- recognize that teaching and teacher control can become a block to learning.
As Hase (2018) says
These principles challenge many of the holy cows of educational and training practice, mainly the curriculum, assessment and the role of ‘teacher’. With the learner at the centre of the learning experience and the learning leader (Hase, 2014b) as a partner, the process is dynamic rather than linear. The curriculum is flexible, although still important in directing the learner in a general sense and in the attainment of competence (knowledge and skills). Assessment is part of the learning process rather than a simple test of attainment and is negotiated.
As teachers we have always struggled to let go of the ownership of learning and a large part of that relates to an accountability system that puts pressures on teachers to ‘teach’ and get results. Give in to heutagogy and let learning breathe.
Great blog and full of interesting thoughts. But, as one of the founders of heutagogy, I need to point out that self-determined learning and self-directed learning are not the same thing. The latter is a process within the former. Self-determination has to do with learner agency. In addition, saying that heutagogy (SDL) is not for everyone is like saying breathing is not for everyone. In many publications since 2013 we have emphasised that SDL is based on neuroscience. Specifically, the way the brain learns. Thus, many of the principles of SDL are scientifically based, whether or not we agree on the title.
If you ask any person over the age of about 10 how they learn new stuff that interests them (outside of formal education) we find that they get on the Internet, watch YouTube and TED, talk to and watch experts, copy, practice, fail and so on. It’s only when they get into a formal learning environment that this same person becomes a passive learner, subject to teacher directedness. They forget how to learn.
Nothing to be frightened off nor any reason to be in awe-it’s just the way people learn.
Regards and thanks
Stewart Hase
Thanks Stewart, it’s always great to get feedback from the horse’s mouth so to speak and I stand corrected on the distinction you make. Your comments have made my blog better and more informed.
Very kind. Sorry if I seemed abrupt. Great work.
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