How To Increase Teachers’ Quality And Participation In Lifelong Learning?

Abstract

Lifelong learning has become a main educational policy of European Union. Lifelong learning also is now seen one of the teacher competence that need to be developed in the initial and in-service teacher education. This study examines the views of teacher educators about improving teachers’ quality and participation in lifelong learning regarding Europe 2020 strategy. This study is a qualitative research, and the data of the study was collected through face to face interviews with four teacher educators working at the Faculty of Education in Turkey. The interview questions comprised of Europe 2020 policy on lifelong learning strategy defined by European Commission. The data of the study was analyzed by thematic analysis technique. The results of the study showed that teacher educators have ideas that career guidance, flexible study opportunities, improving quality and transparency, and financial support are key elements for improving teachers’ quality and participation in lifelong learning. Also, the teacher educators reported that teacher education programs should include lifelong learning competences defined by European Commission. Policy makers and teacher educators should consider these elements of lifelong learning in order to improve the quality of teachers and education in Europe