Abstract
This extended research study focused on bringing together personal learning, higher educational institutional elements to be considered for helping higher educational institutions and individual learners in various countries to re-orient themselves toward a focus on lifelong learning, and placing this within the support and context of lifelong learning and education around the globe. Research is presented on the background and experiences of various higher educational institutions and individual learners in this regard, developing a tentative policy statement and identification of the elements of a re-orientation toward lifelong learning focus as products of several worldwide conferences. In addition, the support of UNESCO in its global reach encourages this to move forward rapidly into the future.
TopIntroduction
Higher education institutions around the world in the 21st century are being faced with serving the educational and learning needs of a non-traditional population [older than the traditional college age of 18-22]. This new population requires different approaches for fulfilling their educational desires. Their individual abilities in lifelong learning influence how they enact learning. They come into the higher education setting on a part time basis, study and take courses for a period of time, and then drop out for a while. They return later, seeking to ‘pick up’ their course of study again where they were when they were previously enrolled. The institutions have to deal with shifting populations, learning needs, how to work in these situations, and placing this within a global context of supporting lifelong learning and education.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Pillar: That on which some superstructure rests, supporting member, foundation.
Learning: Finding out, inquiring, self-instruction, ascertaining, illumination, acquiring wisdom.
Model: Epitomize, exemplify, set an example, personify.
Interactive: Working together, joint, mutual relationship, compatibility, interpenetration, reciprocate.
Ethical: Virtuous, pure as the driven snow, principled, just, loving, prudent, faithful, impeccable.
Comprehensive: Complete, all-embracing, integral, whole, lacking nothing, conclusive.
Re-Orientation: Move in another direction, reformulate, refashioning, reformulation.
Lifelong: Abiding, continuous, durable, lasting, enduring, from cradle to grave.
Collaborative: Good willed, team up, supportive, side with, form an alliance with, pull together, cooperative.
Empower: Energize, strengthen, electrify, enable, endow with power.
Proactive: Undertake, get one’s mind into, initiative, self-direct, take in hand, assume responsibility.
Effective: Vital, influential, momentous, significant, consequential, strong, firm, vigorous, energetic, guiding.