College of Education associate professor Leslie Cordie explores adult education in new book

With more than a decade of work in the adult education program in Auburn’s College of Education, Associate Professor Leslie Cordie has developed a passion for instilling in her students the notion that learning is a lifelong journey.

“Lifelong learning isn't just a buzzword; it's a fundamental necessity in our rapidly evolving world,” Cordie said. “Emphasizing the importance of redefining lifelong learning as a fundamental aspect of university education to better serve both traditional and nontraditional students empowers individuals to thrive in a dynamic world and strengthens the fabric of society.”

Cordie hopes to help those in pursuit of their own lifelong path of learning in her new book. In Transition from Pedagogy to Andragogy, Cordie aims to illustrate diverse approaches for guiding college students from being passive to active learners, exploring how higher education adapts to the specific needs of adult learners amid global trends.

One of the most impactful global trends is rapid technological advancement, which is reshaping nearly every industry and discipline. It involves the widespread adoption of digital platforms, data analytics, and immersive technologies like virtual reality, creating entirely new job roles and demanding a constant evolution of skill sets.

For adult learners—who are often nontraditional students juggling careers, families and other responsibilities— traditional degree programs aren’t always the best option, but focused courses, digital badges and certificates, and intensive bootcamps can allow adult students to quickly acquire specific, in-demand skills.

“This book inspires the creation of learning environments where college students don't just gain career skills, but also develop a lifelong passion for learning,” Cordie said. “It offers a global perspective on adapting higher education to the needs of adult learners and introduces innovative frameworks to bridge theory and practice in adult learning.”

In accordance with the title of her book, Cordie believes the transition from pedagogy to andragogy, the shift from being passively taught to becoming an active, self-directed learner, is at the core of what modern higher education needs to become. In the book, Cordie offers practical ways to help instructors embrace more andragogical practices, like strategic instructional design for flexible learning and embracing uncertainty and active engagement in the classroom.

Cordie’s experiences in the College of Education’s Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership, and Technology profoundly shaped her book and directly reflect her approach to teaching. She focuses on interdisciplinary adult learning, researching and implementing innovative approaches that empower adult learners to become self-directed in evolving environments.

“Drawing on my research and experience, it's about meeting students where they are, empowering them to be curious and take responsibility for their own growth as learners,” Cordie said. “Our department’s philosophy on self-directed learning deeply resonated with my own experiences, giving me the confidence and validation to write about them, particularly in the context of the crucial transition from pedagogy to andragogy that the book addresses.”

Cordie says her book is for academics, students, policymakers and anyone else with an interest in education and lifelong learning, and hopes readers understand that there are always new and exciting ways to approach learning as adults. She cites the book as one of the most rewarding professional collaborations of her career.

“It was an absolutely wonderful experience collaborating with colleagues from all over the world, drawing insights from educators globally,” she said.

The book features contributions from eight different countries, providing deeper insights into adult learning around the world, considering areas like the neuroscience of adult learning, specific needs of younger adult learners, effective instructional design strategies and more.

Learn more about the book, Transition from Pedagogy to Andragogy, at the Emerald Bookstore website, and read more about The College of Education’s Adult Education programs online.