Heutagogy: A Comprehensive Review of Self-Determined Learning in Contemporary Education

Heutagogy, or self-determined learning, is an emerging educational framework that emphasizes learner autonomy, capability development, and reflective practice. Unlike pedagogy and andragogy, heutagogy places learners in control of their learning goals, strategies, and outcomes, fostering adaptability and lifelong learning. As digital and AI-enhanced tools reshape educational environments, heutagogy offers a promising model for fostering adaptability and lifelong learning. This review explores heutagogy not merely as an extension of pedagogy and andragogy, but as a distinct and evolving framework suited to the demands of 21st-century education. A structured literature review was conducted using four databases: PubMed, Medline, PubMed Central, and Google Scholar. The search strategy used keywords such as andragogy, heutagogy, self-determined learning, lifelong learning, active learning, self-directed learning, independent learning, technology in learning, and learning approaches. Inclusion criteria focused on peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2025 that addressed heutagogical theory, implementation, and outcomes. Exclusion criteria included non-English publications, opinion pieces, and articles lacking empirical or theoretical grounding. A total of 22 articles met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed using a narrative thematic approach. Thematic analysis identified four key domains: (1) learner agency and self-reflection; (2) double-loop learning and capability development; (3) integration of digital and AI tools to support autonomous learning; and (4) institutional and faculty-level challenges in implementing heutagogical models. The review revealed consistent support for heutagogy's potential to enhance learner engagement and adaptability, though implementation varied across contexts. This review highlights heutagogy's relevance in contemporary education, particularly in digitally mediated learning environments. While the framework shows promise for cultivating self-directed learners, successful adoption requires institutional commitment, faculty training, and further empirical validation. Heutagogy stands as a transformative approach for preparing learners to navigate complexity and change.