Online Education for Lifelong Learning: A Silent Revolution

Abstract

The term lifelong learning (which has played an important role in policy discussions as well as in studies of the sociology and economics of education) is increasingly important in the 21st century for college graduates to be able to take their place in the changing world scene and to be adaptable and creative within the organization that employs them. Lifelong learning has increasingly been cited but there is no shared understanding of its usage at the global level. The objective of the present chapter is to provide an extensive overview of the current literature to inform the shared understanding of lifelong learning in general and the concept of online lifelong learning specifically. The overview is represented in six themes: lifelong learning, self-directed learning, technology and globalization, open and distance learning, online learning assessment, and higher and adult education.