Implementing the principles of Academagogy for effective learning facilitation in corporate organizations: a case study

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to adapt the principles of Academagogy (McAuliffe et al., 2009; McAuliffe and Winter, 2014) in Corporate Training. Academagogy is an amalgamation of learning theories, viz. pedagogy (teacher-centered learning); andragogy (student-centered learning); and, heutagogy (self-determined learning). 10;While the original paper by McAuliffe et al. focused on the application of Academagogical principles to higher education in a university, this case study extends Academagogy into corporate training.

Design/methodology/approach

Academagogy-based learning interventions were implemented in training programs conducted at IIC Academy. The study-sample comprised 144 trainees divided into the experiment and the control groups. Academagogical interventions were applied to the experiment group, whereas the control group followed conventional methods. Controlled quasi-experiment and statistical analyses were used as research tools in this case study.

Findings

The performance scores of the participants' at entry-level were analyzed through propensity score matching and chi-square tests. The results concluded that the experiment and the control group had no selection bias. 10; 10;The treatment effect applied to the experiment group was studied using scatter-plots and effect size analyses. 10; 10;The results indicate that the academagogical interventions markedly improved behavioral and professional skills among participants of the experiment group, which showed up in their superior performance, both during training and at work.

Research limitations/implications

This case study has two major limitations, viz. the sample population was homogenous; the batch-size was limited to 15 participants, which facilitated closer monitoring of the course.

Originality/value

Academagogical interventions were implemented in a corporate setting as opposed to earlier studies which focused on a university setting and academic environs.

Citation

Murthy, S. and Pattanayak, B. (2020), "Implementing the principles of Academagogy for effective learning facilitation in corporate organizations: a case study", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 34 No. 4, pp. 21-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLO-06-2019-0135