The role of traditional folklore in facilitating adult learning in Nigeria

Abstract

Adults, unlike children, have a wide variety of prior experiences and knowledge which they bring to the processes of learning they engage in at later stages of life. This difference between teaching children (pedagogy) and teaching adults was identified by Malcolm Knowles in the 1980s. He coined the term andragogy to describe the art and science of helping adults learn. Andragogy is premised on five key tenets: self-concept; experience; readiness to learn; orientation to learn; and motivation. These are often absent from the conventional facilitation methods used for adult learning and education (ALE) in Nigeria. The author of this article notes that many ALE programmes fail to meet the needs and expectations which motivate learners to engage in a course. She argues that for learning outcomes to be more successful, teaching methods need to be more creative and take learners' prior experience and knowledge into consideration. After reviewing literature on the topic of adult learning, this article examines conventional methods of facilitating ALE in South West Nigeria. The author points out some of these methods' shortcomings and suggests that one viable approach to addressing these might be to introduce the use of traditional folklore for andragogical purposes. The author posits that integrating oral tradition would also enable a more playful approach to adult learning. In a practiceoriented vein, she discusses the innovative and andragogical elements inherent in folktales, lullabies, folksongs, poetry, proverbs and riddles, illustrating her discussion with Yoruba examples. She concludes that folklore is useful as an independent or integral ALE facilitation method, with promising potential to make ALE more effective.

Redesign The Traditional Folklore: Achieving A Sustainable Folklore For The Future Generation

“…This criteria was based on the work of Choi et al (2022) who developed tools to stimulate cognitive function in the elderly. The adaptation of traditional folklore created in their study may differ from adaptations created for a younger audience, as age can affect the ability to retrieve information, as noted in Ajayi (2019) research. A new criterion, "Age of Audience," was established from both studies.…”

La danza folclórica en el proceso de aprendizaje en los estu-diantes de educación básica

“…Los educadores que nos dedicamos a la educación de lo corporal sabemos la necesidad que tiene el niño de expresarse, lo importante que es que aprendan a utilizar estos recursos para poder comunicarse (Ajayi, 2019).…”

Training an Andragogue as a Specialist in Adult Education

“…Adult learning methods need to be more creative and open to change, noted Ajayi (2019). They must be flexible, capable of forming critical, environmental and creative thinking of adults and teamwork skills (Bengo, 2020).…”