Here’s what I’m working on right now… If you know of any good quotes, quality research, useful links, or relevant Youtube clips or TED talks relating to Lifelong learning in the context of adult education in general or specifically literacy and numeracy, please let me know.
Lifelong Learning
What is lifelong learning?
For our purposes, lifelong learning is learning that is pursued throughout life. Lifelong learning is:
- Ongoing
- Lifelong
- Lifewide
- Voluntary
- Self motivated
- Flexible
- Diverse
- Available at different times and places
Lifelong learning involves the pursuit of knowledge for reasons that range from personal to professional. It goes beyond traditional ideas about school and continues through our adult lives.
The objectives of lifelong learning include:
- Personal fulfilment
- Active citizenship
- Social inclusion
- Employability
- Personal development
- Self sustainability
Lifelong learning goes beyond narrow economic and vocational aspects. It’s about learning to know, do, live, be, and learn in the 21st century.
Lifelong learning helps to instil creativity, initiative, responsiveness as well as teaches us to manage uncertainty, negotiate conflicts, and communicate more effectively.
“Lifelong learning is… about:
- acquiring and updating all kinds of abilities, interests, knowledge and qualifications from the pre-school years to post-retirement. It promotes the development of knowledge and competencies that will enable each citizen to adapt to the knowledge-based society and actively participate in all spheres of social and economic life, taking more control of his or her learning.”
Journal task
Choose one aspect of our approach to strengthening literacy and numeracy from the table below. Write at least 100 words about how your thoughts on lifelong learning underpin this aspect of how teach. Consider what you actually think and do about this.
