Lifelong Learning

1
Lifelong Learning

• All learning activity undertaken throughout life,
  with the aim of improving knowledge, skills and
  competence, within a personal, civic, social
  and/or employment-related perspective.
• European Union

2
Lifelong Learning

• Modern Educational policy places a great deal of
  emphasis on learning for adults
• The is a relatively recent development in
  education
• Due to changes in technological, scientific and
  organisational structures

3
Lifelong Learning

• Across the EU, governments are embracing lifelong
  learning as a way of tackling the challenges of
  social inclusion and economic competitiveness
• Lifelong learning in very important in Northern
  Ireland, considering it is a regional economy
  which is vulnerable to competitors elsewhere in
  Europe

4
Lifelong Learning

• Lifelong Learning has not been taken up too much
  in NI, which is surprising considering that the
  levels of educational attainment are very high in
  UK standards, both in Schools and Universities

5
Lifelong Learning

• In 2001 and 2003 the Life and Times Survey
  assessed peoples attitudes to lifelong learning
  the following were its findings...

6
The Life and Times Survey

• Lifelong learning opens up a whole new life
• 86 of respondents agreed
• 14 of respondents disagreed

7
The Life and Times Survey

• Lifelong learning is only worthwhile if it leads
  to a new job or a promotion
• 36 of respondents agreed
• 51 of respondents disagreed (and felt it was
  important in and of itself)
• 13 of respondents dont know

8
The Life and Times Survey

• Lifelong learning should be paid for by the
  government
• 73 of respondents agreed
• 10 of respondents disagreed (it is up to the
  individual)
• 17 of respondents dont know

9
The Life and Times Survey

• Schools teach you skills and knowledge needed for
  later life
• 30 of respondents agreed
• 70 of respondents disagreed

10
Summary

• Most people in NI have a very positive attitude
  to lifelong learning
• Most people think the government should pay (or
  help pay) for it
• Most people think workers themselves should take
  responsibility for learning new skills
• Most people think school did not help them enough
  to prepare for real life