Learning freedom in self-isolation
COVID-19 is exposing gaps in infrastructure and is challenging our collective social systems. In Serbia, the situation has highlighted the consequences of the marketisation of adult education, writes Maja Maksimović. The text is a column published in the Speakers' Corner series.
Corona Crisis in Finland: A great leap into virtual adult learning?
The sudden shutdown of the adult education sector has forced institutions to quickly renew their thinking. In Finland, Lauri Tuomi witnessed how piano lessons and Spanish courses were moved online in only a matter of days. The text is a column published in the Speakers' Corner series.
Participation in adult education and the pandemic: Who is missing out?
Low-skilled and low-paid adults are providing essential services and known as key workers during the current pandemic. Will they have better chances for personal and career-related development in the future?, asks Professor Ellen Boeren from the UK. The text is a column published in the Speakers' Corner series.
What keeps Portugal’s elderly offline?
In Portugal only slightly over one third of senior citizens use the internet. In order to fight this digital exclusion, more must be done, researcher Celiana Azevedo argues.
Language as a tool for integration
How does learning a new language as an adult differ from learning one as a child? Five professionals from around the world and different backgrounds discuss their experiences of learning German in a new home country.
Refugee camp workers learn stress management to cope with desperate situations
Palestinian social workers in Lebanon have been training with psychologists to manage the stress caused by their job. The trainees are now learning to pass their skills on.
Senior citizens need learning to facilitate their daily life
Senior citizens can no longer just rely on digital experts at their work place, but have to learn to adopt new technologies by themselves. It is the duty of society to offer systematic and professional digital training based on senior pedagogy in order to facilitate daily life, writes Pirkko Ruuskanen-Parrukoski. The text is a column written for issue 1/2020 Adult Education and Mature Learners.
Why layers of life experience matter in learning
If life is the adult learner’s living textbook, seniors are those with the most pages in their books. Experiential learning can help bring this to the forefront, argues Anita Malinen.
Senior volunteers and migrants fighting social exclusion
Both elderly people and migrants are at risk of becoming isolated in many societies. With the right training, seniors can use their life experience and help newcomers to integrate into the host country.
Media literacy and seniors – Much more than recognising fake news
A recent study found that particularly older internet users were responsible for sharing fake news online. But there’s much more to the seniors’ media literacy skills than that, as researcher Päivi Rasi reminds us.
