Lifelong Learning

Mr. Uttam L. Anuse (ulanuse@coe.sveri.ac.in), Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, SVERI’s College of Engineering, Pandharpur

Education is the lifelong learning process.  Educational process should be changes from education to lifelong education/learning. Lifelong learning is necessary for updating all kinds of abilities,  interests,  knowledge  and  qualifications from  the  pre-school  years  to  post  retirement which promotes the development of knowledge and competences that will enable adaptation to the  knowledge-based  society  and  also  valuing  all  forms  of  learning.  This Blog includes meaning, stages, characteristics of lifelong learning & learner, comparison between traditional and lifelong learning, benefits of lifelong learning.

Stages of lifelong learning:

Lifelong education means education resulting from integration of formal, non-formal, and informal education so as to create ability for continuous lifelong development of quality of life. Learning is a continuous lifelong process, going on from birth to the end of our life, beginning with learning from families, communities, schools, religious institutions, workplaces, etc.

1.   Age 0-5 years

In  this  age  group,  a  lot  of  learning  takes place,  providing  a  foundation  for  future  learning habits and resourcefulness. This is probably the age group where the greatest amount of informal learning occurs, as children imitate almost everything from parents, peers and their environment. Psychologists   such as   Sigmund   Freud   and   other   behavioral psychologists   emphasize   the importance of childhood learning.  Learning in this stage affects the development of all other learning abilities later in life.

2.   Age group 6-24

Learning  in  the  6  –  24  age  groups  primarily  takes  place  in  educational  institutions,  from primary and secondary to tertiary levels. Family life, social organizations, religious institutions, and mass media can also play a role in non-formal and informal learning during this time.

The  objective  of  learning  in  this  period  is  the  holistic  development  of  learners  in  four aspects, namely: physical, intellectual, social capacity, emotional and mental development.

3.   Age group 25-60

Individuals  in  the  25  –  60  age  groups  can  learn  informally  during  their  working  lives through the use of instructional media, mostly from their occupations, work-places, colleagues, touring,  mass  media,  information  technologies,  environment  and  nature. 

4.   Age group 60+

In their senior years people may seek new knowledge for their own sake. This could be termed auto andragogy, from pedagogy, an adult who tutors him/herself.  The challenge of seeking   new   knowledge   and   teaching   themselves   may   result   in   a   sense   of   pride   of accomplishment and help maintain self-esteem.

Characteristics of lifelong learning:

The Common themes conveyed in literature on lifelong learning articulate  four  characteristics  which  transform  „education  and  training‟  into  the  concept  of lifelong learning‟.

1)    Informal learning

Informal  learning  describes  a  lifelong  process  whereby  individuals  acquire attitudes, values, skills and knowledge from daily experience and the educational influences and resources in his or her environment, from family and neighbors, from work and play, from the market place, the library and the mass media.

2)    Self-motivated learning

There is a heavy emphasis on the need for individuals to take responsibility for their own learning.  Lifelong  learners  are,  therefore,  not  defined  by  the  type  of  education  or  training  in which  they  are  involved,  but  by  the  personal  characteristics  that  lead  to  such  involvement. The confidence to learn includes a sense of engagement with the education and training system.

3)    Willingness and motivation to learn.

It is recognized that economic incentives alone are not necessarily sufficient to motivate people to engage in education.  A  range  of  motivational  barriers  need  to  be  identified  and addressed in order for some people to participate in education. While some of these barriers are economic  and  can  be  overcome  with  financial  assistance,  many  people  are  deterred  from engaging in education and training by social and personal factors.

4)    Self-funded learning

The  concept  of  self-funded  learning  is  linked  to  the  characteristic  of  self-motivated learning. In recognition of the costs involved insubsidizing lifelong involvement in education. The lifelong learning policy agenda emphasizes the responsibility of individuals to finance their own continuing education and training with minimal support from government.  The lifelong learner as a person who takes responsibility for their own learning and who is prepared to invest time, money and effort in education or training on a continuous basis.

5)    Universal participation

The fourth feature of the lifelong learning is a commitment to universal participation in education.  Universal participation is necessary for meeting the economic demands of the 21st century. The concept of universal participation includes both informal and formal learning for all purposes – social, economic and personal.  Universal participation in lifelong learning is necessary for social cohesion in a time of rapid economic and social change.

“Traditional vs. lifelong learning”

Traditional learning	Lifelong learning
1.he teacher is the source of knowledge	1.Educators are guides to sources of knowledge
2.It is teacher centered	2.It is learner centered
3.Learners receive knowledge from the teacher	3.People learn by doing
4.Learners work by themselves	4.People learn in groups and from each other
5.Tests are given to prevent progress until students have completely mastered a set of skills and to rational access to further learning	5.Assessment is used to guide learning strategies and identify pathways for future learning
6. All learners do the same thing	6.Educators develop individualized learning plans
7.Teaching pedagogies are standardized	7.Teaching pedagogies are individualized
8.Teachers receive initial training plus adhoc in-service training	8. Educators are lifelong learners. Initial training and on-going professional development are linked
9.“Good” learners are identified and permitted to continue their education	9.People have access to learning opportunities over a lifetime
10. Learning is at a group place	10.Learning is at an individual place

The models for lifelong learning can be developed as shown below

Benefits of lifelong learning:

A  number  of  important  socio-economic  forces  are  pushing  for  the  lifelong  learning approach. The increased pace of globalization and technological change, the changing nature of work and the labor market, and the ageing of populations are among the forces emphasizing the need for continuing upgrading of work and life skills throughout life. The demand is for a rising threshold of skills as well as for more frequent changes in the nature of the skills required.

1) Lifelong learning helps fully develop natural abilities.

2) Lifelong learning opens the mind.

3) Lifelong learning creates a curious, hungry mind.

4) Lifelong learning increases our wisdom.

5) Lifelong learning makes the world a better place.

6) Lifelong learning helps us to adapt to change.

7) Lifelong learning helps us find meaning in our lives.

8) Lifelong learning keeps us involved as active contributors to society.

9) Lifelong learning helps us make new friends and establish valuable relationships.

10) Lifelong learning leads to an enriching life of self-fulfillment.

References:

 Singh, U.K. K. N. Sudarshan. (2006): Non formal and continuing education. Discovery

Publishing House.

  Mohanty S. (2007): Lifelong and Adult Education. APH Publishing corporation.

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifelong_learning

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education

  http://www.fig.net/pub/fig2012/papers/ts05i/TS05I_soni_5945.pdf

 Stella SONI, LIFELONG LEARNING – Education and Training, Nigeria.