평생교육 참여와 결과에서 나타나는 양극화 현황 분석

Abstract

In this article, patterns of polarization were empirically analyzed in relation to the field of lifelong education by applying the calculation formula suggested by Kim et al. (2020) that can be used to measure degrees of educational polarization. More specifically, this article analyzed patterns of polarization focusing on educational participation and outcomes. Educational participation was analyzed by examining the amount of participation time (average weekly hours), and educational outcomes were analyzed by exploring lifelong learning attainment, lifelong learning competencies, and changes in social awareness, For the analyses, this article used the results of a survey conducted on 2,200 adult males and females between the ages of 25 and 65. Specifically, the differences in the averages of educational participation and outcomes were first analyzed according to the subjects' parents’ monthly income and own income levels. Next, polarization index values for ‘increases in gaps between groups’ and ‘decreases in mobility’ were calculated considering the subjects' parents’ income and own income levels. Based on this, the degree of polarization was explored. An overall degree of polarization was confirmed in both educational participation and outcomes, though there were some differences by sub-components. In particular, it was found that the degree of polarization was stronger in educational outcomes than in educational participation, when analyzed according to own income levels rather than parents’ income levels.