This is Set 13 of 60 in the smartvidya question bank on Teaching Aptitude (UGC NET Paper 1, Unit I). Part II: Learner characteristics. This set covers Characteristics of adult learners, andragogy and lifelong learning.
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Set 13: Adult Learners and Andragogy
1. The art and science of helping adults learn is called
(a) heutagogy
(b) gerontology
(c) andragogy
(d) pedagogy
Ans. (c) andragogy — Explanation: Andragogy refers to methods and principles of adult education. [Ref: Knowles, andragogy]
2. The term andragogy was popularised in the field of adult education by
(a) Edward Thorndike
(b) Malcolm Knowles
(c) Jean Piaget
(d) Lev Vygotsky
Ans. (b) Malcolm Knowles — Explanation: Malcolm Knowles developed andragogy as a theory of adult learning in the 1960s and 1970s. [Ref: Knowles, andragogy]
3. According to Knowles, adult learners are mainly
(a) self-directed
(b) motivated only by marks
(c) uninterested in practical application
(d) dependent on the teacher for everything
Ans. (a) self-directed — Explanation: Adults have a self-concept of being responsible for their own decisions and prefer to direct their learning. [Ref: Knowles, assumptions of andragogy]
4. Which of the following is an assumption of andragogy?
(a) Adults bring a rich reservoir of experience that is a resource for learning
(b) Adults have no prior experience
(c) Adults prefer subject-centred learning with no application
(d) Adults learn best by rote memorisation
Ans. (a) Adults bring a rich reservoir of experience that is a resource for learning — Explanation: Knowles emphasised that adults' experience should be used in learning activities. [Ref: Knowles, assumptions of andragogy]
5. Adults' orientation to learning is generally
(a) purely subject-centred
(b) problem-centred or task-centred
(c) centred on examinations only
(d) centred on play
Ans. (b) problem-centred or task-centred — Explanation: Adults want to learn things that help them solve real problems and perform tasks. [Ref: Knowles, assumptions of andragogy]
6. Adults are motivated to learn mostly by
(a) parental pressure
(b) competition for gold stars
(c) fear of punishment
(d) internal factors such as self-esteem, job satisfaction and quality of life
Ans. (d) internal factors such as self-esteem, job satisfaction and quality of life — Explanation: Knowles noted that the most potent motivators for adults are internal. [Ref: Knowles, assumptions of andragogy]
7. The "need to know" assumption of andragogy means that adults
(a) need to know only the examination pattern
(b) learn everything without asking why
(c) want to know why they need to learn something before learning it
(d) do not need any information
Ans. (c) want to know why they need to learn something before learning it — Explanation: Adults are more willing to learn when they understand the relevance and purpose of learning. [Ref: Knowles, assumptions of andragogy]
8. Which teaching method is most suitable for adult learners?
(a) Dictation of notes
(b) Case studies and discussion based on real-life problems
(c) Rote drill of definitions
(d) Corporal punishment
Ans. (b) Case studies and discussion based on real-life problems — Explanation: Adults learn well through participatory methods that draw on their experience and focus on real problems. [Ref: Adult learning methods]
9. Heutagogy refers to
(a) self-determined learning in which the learner decides what and how to learn
(b) teaching of young children
(c) teaching through punishment
(d) teaching in a group of exactly ten
Ans. (a) self-determined learning in which the learner decides what and how to learn — Explanation: Heutagogy, proposed by Hase and Kenyon, extends andragogy towards fully self-determined learning. [Ref: Hase and Kenyon (2000)]
10. Transformative learning theory, which stresses critical reflection on assumptions, was developed by
(a) Jack Mezirow
(b) Albert Bandura
(c) Malcolm Knowles
(d) Edward Tolman
Ans. (a) Jack Mezirow — Explanation: Jack Mezirow described how adults change their frames of reference through critical reflection. [Ref: Mezirow, transformative learning]
11. Which statement about adult learners is correct?
(a) They have no responsibilities
(b) Their readiness to learn is linked to the developmental tasks of their social roles
(c) They are never ready to learn
(d) They learn only what is in the syllabus
Ans. (b) Their readiness to learn is linked to the developmental tasks of their social roles — Explanation: Adults become ready to learn what they need for their roles as workers, parents and citizens. [Ref: Knowles, assumptions of andragogy]
12. A common barrier faced by adult learners is
(a) lack of any life experience
(b) excessive dependence on parents
(c) inability to read in any language
(d) lack of time due to work and family responsibilities
Ans. (d) lack of time due to work and family responsibilities — Explanation: Adults balance learning with jobs and families, so flexible learning arrangements help them. [Ref: Barriers to adult learning]
13. Lifelong learning means
(a) learning that continues throughout life, in formal, non-formal and informal settings
(b) learning only in school
(c) learning that stops after graduation
(d) learning only for examinations
Ans. (a) learning that continues throughout life, in formal, non-formal and informal settings — Explanation: Lifelong learning covers all purposeful learning from early childhood to old age. [Ref: Lifelong learning]
14. The UNESCO report "Learning: The Treasure Within" (1996) proposed four pillars of education. Which one of these is a pillar?
(a) Learning to memorise
(b) Learning to compete
(c) Learning to live together
(d) Learning to obey
Ans. (c) Learning to live together — Explanation: The Delors Commission named learning to know, learning to do, learning to live together and learning to be. [Ref: Delors Report (1996)]
15. The Delors Report of 1996 was prepared by a commission chaired by
(a) Amartya Sen
(b) Jacques Delors
(c) Edgar Faure
(d) Federico Mayor
Ans. (b) Jacques Delors — Explanation: The International Commission on Education for the Twenty-first Century was chaired by Jacques Delors. [Ref: Delors Report (1996)]
16. The UNESCO report "Learning to Be" (1972), which promoted lifelong education, is associated with
(a) John Dewey
(b) Edgar Faure
(c) Jacques Delors
(d) Paulo Freire
Ans. (b) Edgar Faure — Explanation: The Faure Report, "Learning to Be: The World of Education Today and Tomorrow", was published by UNESCO in 1972. [Ref: Faure Report (1972)]
17. Paulo Freire criticised traditional teaching in which the teacher deposits knowledge in passive students. He called it
(a) the project method
(b) the heuristic method
(c) the Dalton plan
(d) the banking concept of education
Ans. (d) the banking concept of education — Explanation: In "Pedagogy of the Oppressed", Freire contrasted banking education with problem-posing education. [Ref: Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed]
18. The approach Freire proposed in place of banking education is
(a) rote memorisation
(b) programmed instruction
(c) problem-posing education based on dialogue
(d) lecture-only teaching
Ans. (c) problem-posing education based on dialogue — Explanation: Problem-posing education treats learners as co-investigators who reflect critically on their world. [Ref: Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed]
19. An adult educator should mainly act as
(a) a facilitator and resource person
(b) an examiner only
(c) a disciplinarian only
(d) an authoritarian instructor
Ans. (a) a facilitator and resource person — Explanation: Adults prefer guidance and mutual respect over authoritarian control. [Ref: Adult learning methods]
20. Experiential learning cycle of concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualisation and active experimentation was proposed by
(a) David Kolb
(b) Jerome Bruner
(c) Malcolm Knowles
(d) Robert Gagne
Ans. (a) David Kolb — Explanation: David Kolb's experiential learning theory (1984) describes this four-stage cycle. [Ref: Kolb (1984)]
21. The learning climate preferred by adult learners is
(a) competitive and punitive
(b) formal and threatening
(c) relaxed, trusting, mutually respectful and collaborative
(d) silent and passive
Ans. (c) relaxed, trusting, mutually respectful and collaborative — Explanation: Knowles stressed a climate of mutual respect, trust and collaboration for adult learning. [Ref: Knowles, andragogy]
22. Which of the following is the most appropriate way to assess adult learners?
(a) No feedback at all
(b) Only surprise tests of memory
(c) Public ranking of performance
(d) Including self-assessment and assessment linked to real tasks
Ans. (d) Including self-assessment and assessment linked to real tasks — Explanation: Adults value self-evaluation and assessment related to practical application. [Ref: Adult learning methods]
23. In the context of adult education in India, the scheme "ULLAS" (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society) is associated with
(a) the mid-day meal scheme
(b) the Atal Tinkering Labs
(c) the New India Literacy Programme
(d) the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship
Ans. (c) the New India Literacy Programme — Explanation: ULLAS is the identity of the New India Literacy Programme (2022–27) for adult literacy and lifelong learning. [Ref: New India Literacy Programme]
24. The term "andragogy" was first used in 1833 by the German teacher
(a) Johann Herbart
(b) Friedrich Froebel
(c) Wilhelm Wundt
(d) Alexander Kapp
Ans. (d) Alexander Kapp — Explanation: Alexander Kapp used the term andragogy in 1833, and Knowles later developed it into a theory. [Ref: History of andragogy]
25. Compared with children, adults generally prefer learning that is
(a) postponed for use in the distant future
(b) decided entirely by others
(c) purely theoretical with no use
(d) immediately applicable to their life or work
Ans. (d) immediately applicable to their life or work — Explanation: Adults have a time perspective of immediate application of knowledge. [Ref: Knowles, andragogy]
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