Adult education at the war academy

Abstract

The teaching-learning process is the mainstay of every individual who embarks on a path towards academic development. In view of this, higher education institutions, understanding this challenge, permanently investigate or apply innovation elements to improve their results. At this level, Andragogy stands as one of the educational references. Andragogy, concerned with adult learning, focuses on the most appropriate methodological strategies and evaluation procedures for this stage. These are teaching methods that promote more complex learning, different from the models used in traditional pedagogy.

In this context, the Chilean Army War Academy (ACAGUE) has tacitly applied the adult education model since its origins. Since those first German officers who arrived in Chile with the purpose of transmitting the Prussian model, its professors have permanently employed innovative methodologies. Such as war games or map exercises to reinforce strategic thinking skills and prepare staff officers for their performance upon graduation. These methods, which were already revolutionary at the time, are still the most effective proof that teaching by experience, in a context of shared knowledge and emulating future professional practice, ensure learning success. Consequently, the objective of this work is to expose the process of Adult Education that is developed in the Army War Academy, for the training of Staff Officers.