Lifelong Learning Policies Research Articles

A Review of Self-regulated Learning and Lifelong Learning in Chinese Vocational Education

This literature review explores the relationship between self-regulated learning and lifelong learning in the context of Chinese vocational education. Self-regulated learning is discussed as a foundational component in educational psychology. The relationship between self-regulated learning and lifelong learning is examined, illustrating how self-regulation skills foster continuous learning. Moreover, this review addresses the role of lifelong learning in vocational education in China, emphasizing the need for flexible, skills-based learning pathways to support economic and personal growth. In addition, the paper explores lifelong learning policies in China. The literature review culminates in a discussion on the challenges and opportunities in Chinese vocational education.

Reaching for a hybrid and networked university through lifelong learning initiatives

Working life is transforming, including an emerging digitalisation of its products and processes. Due to such transformation, competencies need to be developed in organisations that suit the emerging conditions for performing work. In the growth of these competencies, higher education is a key player. Its role is twofold, including preparing students for working life and being involved in professional development through continuous education and lifelong learning initiatives. This role as a key player has the potential to assist in the development of competencies at both an individual and organisational level. Another movement in society is the dissolution of boundaries between organisations, leading to the emergence of networked and hybrid organisations. Digitalisation is a driving force in this phenomenon. Even within universities, this trend has grown and impacted the relationship between the university and the surrounding society. In a hybrid and networked university, its operations are closely linked to the surrounding society, including the interplay of the needs of both parties; a balance of power; and weak boundaries between the university and organisations in the surrounding society. Another trend in the higher education sector is the emphasis on lifelong learning policies. Such policies link lifelong learning to global competition and social inclusion for all. The project reported in this paper builds on the ideas of lifelong learning from a university that aims to be hybrid and networked. The reported initiative builds on data from an early phase of a development project that aims at developing new forms of lifelong learning and professional development. Thematically analysed Post-it Notes from workshops supported the answering of the following research question: How do higher education staff perceive development of lifelong learning? The following four main categories were generated: (1) the hybrid and networked university, (2) pedagogical models, (3) internal organisation, and (4) quality. The conclusion includes staffs’ positive attitude towards lifelong learning initiatives. They emphasise the university as an open space and as a partner for agents in the surrounding society. Moreover, they stress lifelong learning initiatives for staff; further development of educational models; scientific legitimacy and high-quality deliverance; flexible internal organisation and structures; and finally, the importance of collaboration and networking. Further data collection is needed to validate the results and the potential for developing theoretical insights that could inform lifelong learning initiatives in emerging digitally infused societies.

Lifelong education policies in Europe and Latin America

“Lifelong Education Policies in Europe and Latin America” offers an insightful examination of lifelong learning policies through the lens of policy studies, focusing on the similarities and differences between Europe and Latin America. The book delves into various dimensions of employment policies, adult education and learning, vocational education and training, and higher education. It particularly emphasizes the formulation and implementation of these policies by policymakers and the interplay among educational authorities, employers, and providers at local, regional, and national levels. This comparative approach is pivotal in broadening the comprehension of lifelong learning within compensatory and upskilling initiatives.

INSERLAB -Pathways to Inclusion through Work-Integrated Learning

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of a university training program aimed at enhancing the socio-labour integration of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program employs a holistic methodology that incorporates work-integrated learning, personalized tutoring, and competency development. The results of this study indicate a significant positive impact on participants, notably improving their employability and dismantling social stereotypes about their capabilities in the workforce. Employers engaged in the program were more inclined to hire individuals with disabilities, highlighting the benefits of active participation and exposure. The implications of these findings reinforce the importance of lifelong learning and inclusive education policies in facilitating the labour integration of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

평생교육 정책 결정 과정 분석

This study provides an academic analysis of the development of the Lifelong Education Voucher policy, employing Kingdon's Multiple Streams Framework(MSF). Problems include indicators of lifelong learning participation rates and adult competencies, and the limitations of lifelong learning policies to address existing gaps in lifelong learning participation. Additionally, the political stream scrutinized the influence of the social environment, regime transitions, and the initiatives of lifelong learning organizations in revising lifelong learning legislation and enhancing the overall system. Lastly, the policy stream delved into the proposals put forth by the Ministry of Education(MOE) and lifelong learning organizations aimed at bolstering the Lifelong Education Voucher. The analysis underscores that the political stream emerges as the primary driving force for the emergence of the policy window, in conjunction with issue-driven dynamics. Within the policy stream, lifelong learning organizations initially advocate for broader support for marginalized groups, later the MOE suggested alternatives. The finalization of this policy is closely aligned with the budget allocation determined by the National Assembly. The MOE assumes a pivotal role as a policy leader, while lifelong learning organizations also exhibit leadership in policy advocacy. This highlights the incongruities within the policy-making process, as envisioned in the MSF, emphasizing the necessity for collaboration between formal and informal stakeholders in the realm of policy-making.

Economic policy to support lifelong learning system development & SDG4 achievement: Bibliometric analysis

In order to set economic policy goals, it is important to understand the difference between adult education and lifelong learning, and how much research on SDG 4 combines lifelong learning and economic policy. The purpose of the article is to determine the main directions for justifying the lifelong learning system development, including for achieving sustainable development goal 4 (SDG 4). Based on scientific research data from the Scopus database using the VOSviewer software, this article analyzed the theoretical foundations for substantiating the temporal and geographical interrelationships of the categorical-conceptual system of such terms as “SDG 4”, “adult education”, “lifelong learning” and “economic”. This made it possible to identify the main trends in scientific research and cluster directions of international research on the relationship between adult education, lifelong learning and economic policy. The following trends were obtained: adult education as a driver of economic development; as a social phenomenon and as a source of innovation. The following clusters were identified: adult education as a part of life-long education; adult education under the influence of physical and age-related changes; adult education as part of professional education; the learning process, which is not related to professional activity. As a result of the analysis, an insufficient level of attention among scientific studies devoted to adult education within the framework of SDG 4 was revealed. The article confirmed the need for economic policy to support the lifelong learning system, as well as the difference between the concepts of adult education and lifelong learning. Acknowledgment The educational outcomes in this publication were created with the support of the EU Erasmus+ program within the framework of projects ERASMUS-JMO-2021-HEI-TCH-RSCH-101048055 – «AICE – With Academic integrity to EU values: step by step to common Europe» and ERASMUS-JMO-2022-HEI-TCH-RSCH-101085198«OSEE – Open Science and Education in Europe: success stories for Ukrainian academia». This study was funded by the grant from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine “Modelling educational transformations in wartime to preserve the intellectual capital and innovative potential of Ukraine” (registration number 0123U100114). “Convergence of economic and educational transformations in the digital society: modeling of the impact on regional and national security” (state registration number 0121U109553).

Study protocol: How does cognitive flexibility relate to other executive functions and learning in healthy young adults?

Cognitive flexibility (CF) enables individuals to readily shift from one concept or mode of practice/thoughts to another in response to changes in the environment and feedback, making CF vital to optimise success in obtaining goals. However, how CF relates to other executive functions (e.g., working memory, response inhibition), mental abilities (e.g., creativity, literacy, numeracy, intelligence, structure learning), and social factors (e.g., multilingualism, tolerance of uncertainty, perceived social support, social decision-making) is less well understood. The current study aims to (1) establish the construct validity of CF in relation to other executive function skills and intelligence, and (2) elucidate specific relationships between CF, structure learning, creativity, career decision making and planning, and other life skills. This study will recruit up to 400 healthy Singaporean young adults (age 18-30) to complete a wide range of cognitive tasks and social questionnaires/tasks. The richness of the task/questionnaire battery and within-participant administration enables us to use computational modelling and structural equation modelling to examine connections between the latent constructs of interest. The current study is the first systematic investigation into the construct validity of CF and its interrelationship with other important cognitive skills such as learning and creativity, within an Asian context. The study will further explore the concept of CF as a non-unitary construct, a novel theoretical proposition in the field. The inclusion of a structure learning paradigm is intended to inform future development of a novel intervention paradigm to enhance CF. Finally, the results of the study will be useful for informing classroom pedagogy and the design of lifelong learning policies and curricula, as part of the wider remit of the Cambridge-NTU Centre for Lifelong Learning and Individualised Cognition (CLIC).

Meritocratic lifelong learning: Responsibilisation of marginalised adults for their learning as neocolonial contract

ABSTRACT After the declaration of lifelong learning as the Sustainable Development Goal 4 in 2015, lifelong learning has become a new policy bandwagon. However, whether investment of time and resources needed for it should be the responsibility of marginalised adults or any other macrolevel institutions has remained elusive. Nested in the larger theoretical and scholarly debate on meritocracy, this paper analyses the World Bank’s policy documents and interviews conducted among Nepali educational policymakers. The key findings of this study suggest that under the neocolonial contract foisted by the World Bank’s policy discourses, marginalised adults are expected to take responsibility for lifelong learning and remain competitive in the global job market. They are blamed for their inability to be competitive because lifelong learning policies are guided by a fallacious discourse of meritocracy. The vision shared by Nepali policymakers shows that lifelong learning can be embedded in the sociocultural contexts of the learners rather than merely guided by meritocratic ideals.

Subjectivities of the lifelong learner in ‘humanistic generation’ - Critical policy analysis of lifelong learning policies among discourses of UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the OECD

ABSTRACT Lifelong learning has for decades been considered a ‘holy grail’ that can help resolve societal problems and boost the economy. The current hegemonic discourse surrounding lifelong learning has included economic objectives since at least the 1980s; however, this has not always been the case. At least three different conceptual generations have been distinguished throughout the history of the politics of lifelong learning: humanistic, economic and ‘soft’ economic. In this article, we examine the politics of lifelong learning in the humanistic generation. Our research comprises eight policy texts from UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the OECD. We apply Foucauldian approach with the aim of understanding the subjectivity types of lifelong learners that have been constructed within the policy texts. We apply Carol Bacchi’s ‘What is the problem represented to be?’ (WPR) method together with Foucauldian elements of ethical relations as a new modified tool for analysing educational policy texts. The study enhances our understanding of current lifelong learning discourses by analysing their ‘humanistic roots’ and subjectivities in the humanistic era. Moreover, it challenges the extent to which the politics of lifelong learning was considered humanistic at that time.

The right to lifelong learning: Addressing policy challenges for late-life learning in Canada

Lifelong learning is essential to support optimum development, cope with life challenges, improve healthy autonomy and contribute to a just, sustainable, and prosperous society. The value of the legal right to lifelong learning is not well understood, tested, or applied, as lifelong learning is rarely extended to all people till the end of life. Education or learning was formally accepted as a human right under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948. Together with UNESCO Recommendation against Discrimination in Education (1960), these two international agreements ensure access, relevance, and equity of lifelong learning. Possible reasons for low compliance and slow implementation of lifelong learning to the end of life are discussed. Canada’s efforts can serve as a model for lifelong learning policies for later life because, as a federated country, it requires national and provincial laws to work together to achieve the same desired outcome for lifelong learning across thirteen different provinces and territories. Furthermore, for the first time, the 2021 Canadian census provided detailed data for the population aged 65–100 years, and it supports evidence-based policy development regarding for whom, when, what, when, where, and how lifelong learning outcomes can be provided nationally. A combination of need and capacity is a better measure than determining eligibility by age 65–100 years, and the quality of learning should be based on responsiveness to specific needs and its relevance to learners in the last four decades of life. The needs for knowledge range from life management, personal growth, societal contributions, and legacy for the future. Learning options should be continuous, encourage individual choice, and rely on geragogy. To be equitable, learning in later life should be delivered in formal, non-formal, or informal means in residential and institutional settings.

Non-formal education: The review of current studies

Introduction. Non-formal education is gaining a new impetus in the establishment of a sustainable knowledge society. The article reveals major concerns of non-formal education as an element of life-long learning and adult education policies as well as its effective implementation into the national educational mainstream.Aim. The aim of the research is to conduct a detailed overview of various current studies, exemplifying the international experience in non-formal education and the case-studies of its adoption along with the mechanisms for its validation in different countries.Methodology and research methods. The work was based on the methodology of comparative analysis and qualitative content analysis of official UNESCO, CEDEFOP, etc. international statistical and analytical reports, academic and empirical studies. An analytical review shows policy changes towards the development of non-formal education as well as an international and available in individual countries experience of its studying and implementation.Results. Based on the compatibility scopes principle, three levels of analysis of non-formal education (macro-level/global, meso-level/institutional, micro-level/personal) were identified so that the key issues and trends in its development could be pinpointed at every stage. The conducted research leads to the conclusion that non-formal education practices are acquiring institutional forms. The level of non-formal education development in different countries varies. However, there are general trends towards solving a number of similar social problems by means of non-formal education, such as bridging the supply and demand for competencies in the labour market, social inclusion of different segments of the population, and others.Scientific novelty and practical significance. The novelty of this study is seen in the resource capacity of non-formal education, the potential of its implementation for the vocational re-skilling, upskilling and further training of various socio-demographic groups, its global development trends and prospects. The practical significance lies in the application of mechanisms for recognising non-formal education outcomes. The highlighted trends and the best international experience can provide non-formal education integration into the educational mainstream, create experimental learning platforms and accelerate practical educational policy measures.

Evaluating the impact of lifelong education on older adults: A case study from Hong Kong

In light of its low fertility rate and long life span, Hong Kong is facing the challenge of a rapidly ageing population. To foster successful ageing, learning throughout life regardless of age is promoted as lifelong learning. A total of 20 older adults who are studying the Diploma in Active Ageing at the School of Professional Education and Executive Development of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University participated in a questionnaire survey while 16 older adult students participated in individual in-depth interviews in the present study. The results show that those who have received both informal and formal learning opportunities experienced positive changes to their physical, psychological and social health. The participants reported that the current lifelong learning policy provides insufficient financial support and insufficient promotion of formal education for older adults. For older adults to pursue further education, there is a need to provide more generous subsidies and relax age eligibility restrictions. To sustain lifelong learning, both informal and formal education for older adults should be promoted equally in order to meet the diverse interests and ability of older learners.

The Bulgarian voice in the world Russianists’ choir

The author thoroughly examines the emergence, formation and development of the Russian studies in Bulgaria as a scientific field, both in retrospect and in the context of its current state. The author traces the influence of historical, political and socio-economic factors on teaching Russian to Bulgarians. Keeping in mind the changes in the political and socio-economic orientation of the Republic of Bulgaria and of the Russian Federation in the last three decades, it appears relevant at the present states of development of the two countries to comprehensively describe the various development trends of the Russian studies and Russian language teaching in Bulgaria. Representative material from scientific publications and collective monographs on heterogeneous aspects of the Russian studies (linguistic, literary and applied) has been used in the research. Traditional methods of analysis and evaluation of scientific literature, observation, description and generalization of pedagogical experience are applied in this study. It also includes analysis of data from the National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria on the number of schoolchildren studying Russian at different stages and in different types of secondary schools. The official statistical data show a stable interest in the Russian language among Bulgarian pupils and students, regardless of changing attitudes in the society. The Russian language remains the second most frequently chosen after English. The pragma-tic attitude of pupils and students, a combination of subjective and objective factors contribute to their choice to study Russian. The specific feature of the Bulgarian model is teaching Russian at all levels: preschool, school, university and continuing education in accordance with the European policy of lifelong learning.

Od nowa? Edukacja przez całe życie w polskiej polityce publicznej

Introduction: This article concerns the public policy of lifelong learning in Poland after 2000, with particular emphasis on adult education. Research Aim: The purpose of the research is to evaluate this policy from the andragogic point of view, identified with the humanistic and social approach, which places man and his well-being at the centre of social life. Evidence-based Facts: The challenge of Polish public policy is the low participation of Poles in adult education in the light of comparative studies of the European Union and the external (i.e. on the part of employers) motivation of adults to learn. The analysis of the LLL strategic documents in Poland published after 2000 proves that there has been a broadening of the understanding of lifelong learning to the areas of non-formal and informal education, with a simultaneous tendency to standardize and quantitatively approach lifelong learning powered by the theory of rational choice. It was on this basis that the main tool for implementing the LLL policy in Poland, i.e. the Integrated Qualifications System, was constructed. The contemporary model of implementing LLL in adult education is characterized by the compensatory nature of goals, a market-based approach at the organizational level, and a mixed financing system. Summary: From an andragogic point of view, LLL public policy in Poland requires a re-evaluation of the basic assumptions, i.e. the placing of democracy over the economy, social inclusion over competition, citizenship and personal development over profit and productivity. In the discourse of lifelong learning in Poland, it is the administration of competences that prevails, and not the question of their meaning and significance, as andragogues would like. The implementation of the Integrated Qualifications System means a new beginning for the Polish LLL public policy, burdened with a high risk.

Active Labor market policies and Lifelong Learning in Greece

The main goal of the present paper is to discuss how and under what circumstances, active labor market policies and adult education could assist staff to cope with stress and enhance skills and abilities to achieve employment. The high numbers of unemployed in Greece together with the long-term ineffective austerity measures and policies imposed in the country and the reduction of the social welfare state, created many multiple and complex issues that deteriorated after the pandemic. The present paper suggests that specific active labor market policies must be employed together with lifelong learning policies and programmes to ensure future developments. Greece, more than any other modern European country, was faced for several years with extreme austerity measures that affected the social, economic, and personal level. The working population and especially young people had to cope with prolonged unemployment, limited options for reentering the job market and the associated stress that follows exposure to adverse experiences. The phenomena of brain drain and brain waste, are well documented in Greek research and literature. Covid-19 pandemic was another stroke in an already unbalance economy. Lifelong learning programmes, that are meant to assist not only the working but also the general population to increase social and other skills, as a way of ensuring access to the labour market, are addressed to only a small portion of the population and usually to those who need them the least. The current paper presents the challenges that Active labor market and Lifelong policies in Greece must face in the process of coping with prolonged unemployment, brain drain and brain waste.

평생학습관 운영체계 결정요인 분석

This study tries to find out the determinants of the lifelong learning centers operating system. As related policies spread nationwide, the role of lifelong learning centers is growing. Its role is to perform various functions based on the Lifelong Education Act, but it is difficult to establish an appropriate operating system for the Lifelong Learning Center according to the size and situation of each city. Therefore, this study aims to develop the determinant factors so that local governments can determine the operating system of lifelong learning centers in consideration of local conditions. To this end, Delphi surveys and AHP analysis were conducted on experts in related fields, focusing on the case of Gwangmyeong-city. According to the research results, two areas and ten sub-items were derived as indicators for judging the lifelong learning center operation system. Detailed indicators consist of the areas of lifelong learning city performance, including their delivery system, citizen participation system, civic competency improvement, drive, and the area of sustainable management, including expertise, cooperative governance, publicness, autonomy, employment stability, and flexibility. In order to utilize the analyzed determinants, the importance of each item was analyzed and the weight was obtained. In general, the weight of lifelong learning city performance areas was high, indicating that it was more important to establish a lifelong education system throughout the city so that all citizens could participate in learning than the management of lifelong learning centers. As factors derived from the study, it was confirmed that it is important for the Lifelong Learning Center, which is a central institution and think tank for lifelong learning policy development and implementation, to implement collection of professional manpower, develop and operate civic-led education, and to practice local networks. Therefore, this study presents criteria for determining whether these roles can be performed well for each existing operating system of direct management, private consignment, and foundation.

How Susceptible are Skills to Obsolescence? A Task-Based Perspective of Human Capital Depreciation

This article investigates the link between human capital depreciation and job tasks, with an emphasis on potential differences between education levels. Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel, fixed effects panel regression is applied to estimate an extended Mincer equation based on Neumann and Weiss’s model. Human capital gained from higher education levels depreciates at a faster rate than other human capital. The depreciation rate is also higher for specific skills compared to general skills. Moreover, the productivity-enhancing value of education diminishes faster in jobs with a high share of non-routine interactive, non-routine manual, and routine cognitive tasks. These jobs are characterized by greater technology complementarity or more frequent changes in core-skill or technology-skill requirements. The presented results point to the urgency of elaborating combined labor market and educational and lifelong learning policies to counteract the depreciation of skills. Education should focus on equipping workers with more general skills in all education levels and adapt educational programs to take into account the rapid upgrade of production technologies and changing competency requirements.

Peculiarities of implementation of lifelong learning policy in Turkey

The relevance of the study is due to the fact that in the 21st century, lifelong learning is recognized as one of the key pillars of education, closely intertwined with human development and financial growth. It is determined, that in recent years, major universities, governments and non-governmental organizations around the world continue to discuss the practice of lifelong learning. Being in the process of full membership in the EU, Turkey continues to comply with international norms and standards and comply with the established requirements.
 The institutional efforts to support and disseminate adult education in Turkey, strengthen the vocational education and training system in the context of the implementation of the concept of lifelong learning were analized. It has been found, that in Turkey, the concept of lifelong has recently been seen as a model of approach to education and training. Turkey has been shown to need a long-term vision and strategy for adult learning as part of a broader lifelong learning strategy in order to increase adult learning opportunities.
 The generalization of Turkey's progressive experience revealed the peculiarities of the implementation of lifelong learning policies, namely: ensuring the unity of national culture; implementing a strong policy of justice and equality in education; promotion of civic education; active participation in lifelong learning systems in order to build a competitive knowledge economy for the EU; promoting the literacy skills of Turkish citizens; training of qualified people in need of society; adaptation of non-formal and adult education to lifelong learning.
 The generalization of vectors for expanding opportunities for adult learning in Turkey has identified promising areas for adult education in Ukraine, namely: investing in the expansion and diversification of learning spaces or opportunities in the field of lifelong learning; updating programs to support parents of young, children and adolescents; organization of trainings on raising awareness and skills of multi-literacy; recognition of certificates in the process of lifelong learning and non-formal education; conducting research on social consciousness for lifelong learning processes; supporting the development of a long-term adult learning strategy; expanding opportunities for adult learning, etc

Governing the Life Course through Lifelong Learning: A Multilevel and Multidimensional View

The life course in general, and the educational trajectories of young people in particular, comprise a high degree of complexity as they take place in iterative, recursive and interactive negotiation processes in which numerous actors, institutions and discourses are involved. In this paper, an attempt is made to combine two conceptual discussions—Life Course and Governance—bringing them to bear on the examination of how Lifelong Learning (LLL) policies have been used to govern young people’s life courses. The paper synthesizes different discussions of the complex relations among governance, discourses and structures of opportunity that impact the governing of the life course and particularly educational trajectories. It suggests that the combination of life course research and a governance perspective enables analyzing the governance of educational trajectories along discursive, institutional and relational dimensions of opportunity structures. Considering these various dimensions, the paper argues, allows us to attend to the social interactions, decision-making processes and processing mechanisms that precede and/or underlie educational processes and thus favor or complicate them. The contribution also critically discusses the implications of a governance perspective on life courses and closes with a discussion of the multidimensional and multilevel challenge of governing life course by means of LLL policies.

European Lifelong learning policies. The case of Lifelong Learning Centre of University of Macedonia in Greece

The paper focuses on the implementation of lifelong learning policies (LLL) in Greek universities concerning the establishment and operation of lifelong learning centres (LLLCs) in universities. The research will focus on the characteristics of the active curricula in the academic year 2020-21 of one lifelong learning centre, the centre of the University of Macedonia.Specifically, the first section makes a reference to knowledge society and its characteristics and provides the basic definitions of the concepts that will be dealt with in the article. The 2nd section highlights the main developments in lifelong learning policies, initially at a European level and subsequently at a national level. The 3rd section presents the research methodology concerning the characteristics and central choices of the lifelong learning centre of the University of Macedonia. The 4th section presents the analysis of the survey findings and our conclusions.