UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Andragogy is the theory and practice of adult learning, emphasising that adults are self-directed, bring extensive life experience and prefer learning that is immediately relevant and problem-centred. Teachers working with adults act more as facilitators than directors. The stem’s description of self-directed adults with rich experience and problem-centred learning matches the core assumptions of andragogy.

Option A:
Pedagogy traditionally refers to teaching children and often assumes greater teacher control and dependence of learners. While pedagogy has evolved, it is not the technical term that highlights adult learner characteristics described in the stem.

Option B:
Heutagogy extends andragogy by focusing on self-determined learning, where learners decide not only how but also what they will learn. Although related, it is less commonly emphasised in UGC NET Paper 1 than andragogy.

Option C:
Schooling is a general term for institutional education and does not specify principles tailored to adult learners.

Option D:
Andragogical approaches use learners’ experiences as resources and involve them in planning and evaluation, which fits the stem precisely and makes andragogy the correct option.