First subtheme: The history and conceptualization of andragogyEdward Lindeman is considered by many to be the founder of contemporary adult education. His work in adult education included writing articles, books, public presentations, and assisting in the college system as a lecturer in social work and associate pastor in the church (Brookfield 1986). Lindeman and Martha Anderson traveled to observe and analyze the German folk high school system and the labor movement. Therefore, the comparative research of Lindeman and Anderson led to a breakthrough in the German perception of andragogy. Their studies define andragogy as the “true adult learning method” (1986). In 1968, at Boston University, the first use of the term "andragogy" to attract the attention of adult instructors occurred when Malcolm Knowles, who was an adult education instructor at the time, introduced the term in a newspaper article. In his 1970 book, he defined “andragogy” as the art and science of helping adults learn. The concept of self-directed learning, or SDL, presented below reveals Knowles' definition of SDL: "In its broadest sense, 'self-directed learning' describes a process by which individuals take the initiative, with or without the help of others, in diagnosing their learning needs, formulating learning objectives, identifying human and material resources for learning, choosing and implementing learning strategies. appropriate learning and assessment of learning outcomes. (Knowles, Holton, Swanson, 2011, p. 18) The main focus of the above definition of SDL is the point where the learner acquires 1) the resourcefulness necessary to engage in a learning experience and 2 ) the responsibility to complete one's studies. After the learner has...... middle of sheet ......andragogy. Works Cited Brockett, R., & Hiemstra, R. (1991). Self-direction in adult learning. London and New York: Routledge. Retrieved from http://www-distance.syr.edu/sdlindex.htmlBrookfield, S.D. (1986). Understanding and facilitating adult learning. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Elias, J. L. (1979). Andragogy revisited. Adult Education, 29, 252-255. Hadley, H. (1975). Development of an instrument to determine the orientations of adult educators: andragogical or pedagogical. (Doctoral dissertation, Boston University). Dissertation Abstracts International, 35, 7595a. Hiemstra, R. and Sisco, B. (1990). Moving from pedagogy to andragogy. Foundations of Adult Education: Critical and Contemporary Issues, retrieved from http://www-distance.syr.edu/literature.htmlKnowles, M., Holton, E., & Swanson, R. (2011). The adult learner. (7th ed.). Burlington, Massachusetts: Taylor and Francis.