Lifelong learning

Lifelong learning, also known as LLL, is the "lifelong, lifewide, voluntary, and self-
motivated"pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons. As such, it not
only enhances social inclusion, active citizenship and personal development, but also
competitiveness and employability.

The term recognises that learning is not confined to childhood or the classroom, but takes
place throughout life and in a range of situations. During the last fifty years, constant
scientific and technological innovation and change has had a profound effect on learning
needs and styles. Learning can no longer be divided into a place and time to acquire
knowledge (school) and a place and time to apply the knowledge acquired (the workplace).

Lifelong learning contexts

Although the term is widely used in a variety of contexts its meaning is often unclear.

There are several established contexts for lifelong learning beyond traditional "brick and
mortar" schooling:

 Home schooling where this involves learning to learn or the development of informal
learning patterns.
 Adult education or the acquisition of formal qualifications or work and leisure skills
later in life.
 Continuing education which often describes extension or not-for-credit courses offered
by higher education institutions.
 Knowledge work which includes professional development and on-the-job training.
 Personal learning environments or self-directed learning using a range of sources and
tools including online applications.

Metacognition

Literally ‘thinking about the process of knowing,’ metacognition refers to “higher order
thinking which involves active control over the cognitive processes engaged in learning.” [

Metacognition involves:
  Knowledge: awareness of your own thought processes and learning styles, and
knowledge of the strategies that might be used for different learning tasks.
 Control or self-regulation: keeping track of your thinking processes, regulating and
evaluating them.

While the study of metacognition originally gave educational psychologists insights into what
differentiated successful students from their less successful peers, it is increasingly being
used to inform teaching that aims to make students more aware of their learning processes,
and show them how to regulate those processes for more effective learning throughout their
lives.

As lifelong learning is "lifelong, lifewide, voluntary, and self-motivated" [1] learning to learn, that
is, learning how to recognize learning strategies, and monitor and evaluate learning, is a pre-
condition for lifelong learning. Metacognition is an essential first step in developing lifelong
learning.

In practice

In India and elsewhere, the "University of the Third Age" (U3A) provides an example of the
almost spontaneous emergence of autonomous learning groups accessing the expertise of
their own members in the pursuit of knowledge and shared experience. No prior
qualifications and no subsequent certificates feature in this approach to learning for its own
sake and, as participants testify, engagement in this type of learning in later life can indeed
'prolong active life'.

In Sweden the successful concept of study circles, an idea launched almost a century ago,
still represents a large portion of the adult education provision. The concept has since
spread, and for instance, is a common practice in Finland as well. A study circle is one of the
most democratic forms of a learning environment that has been created. There are no
teachers and the group decides on what content will be covered, scope will be used, as well
as a delivery method.

Sometimes lifelong learning aims to provide educational opportunities outside standard

educational systems — which can be cost-prohibitive, if it is available at all. On the other
hand, formal administrative units devoted to this discipline exist in a number of universities.
For example, the 'Academy of Lifelong Learning' is an administrative unit within the
University-wide 'Professional and Continuing Studies' unit at the University of Delaware.[13]
Another example is the Jagiellonian University Extension (Wszechnica Uniwersytetu
Jagiellonskiego), which is one of the most comprehensive Polish centers for lifelong learning
(open learning, organizational learning, community learning).

In recent years 'Lifelong Learning' has been adopted in the UK as an umbrella term for post-
compulsory education that falls outside of the UK Higher Education system - Further
Education, Community Education, Work-based Learning and similar voluntary, public sector
and commercial settings.

Lifelong learning professionals

As the Jagiellonian University Extension defines it, there are seven main professional profiles
in the Lifelong Learning domain:

 trainer
 coach
 competency assessor
 consultant
 training project manager
 curriculum designer
 mentor

Top 10 Benefits Of Lifelong Learning

by Nancy Merz Nordstrom

10. Lifelong learning helps fully develop natural abilities.

“We all have innate natural abilities,” says Nordstrom. “Some of which might not be readily
apparent. Once we’re no longer working full time, we have the opportunity to fully explore
and develop these abilities.”
9. Lifelong learning opens the mind.

An integral part of lifelong learning is the free exchange of ideas and viewpoints among older
learners. Says Nordstrom, “There’s nothing like listening to or taking part in stimulating
discussions to help us see the other side of an issue. That give-and-take opens our minds
and brings us to a whole new level of enlightenment.”

8. Lifelong learning creates a curious, hungry mind.

The more older learners discover about history, current events, politics, or the culture of other
countries, the more they want to learn. According to Nordstrom, “There’s a big world out
there just waiting for our exploration. Our drive and desire to learn fuels itself and we keep
going, constantly looking for more to feed our hungry minds.”

7. Lifelong learning increases our wisdom.

“Lifelong learning enables us to put our lives in perspective,” says Nordstrom. “It increases
our understanding of the whys and the whats of previous successes and failures, and it helps
us understand ourselves better. We more fully develop the wisdom that can come with later
life.”

6. Lifelong learning makes the world a better place.

Through the community service aspect of lifelong learning, older learners can give back to
their communities and to the world. “We’ve spent 30, 40 or more years interacting with the
world,” says Nordstrom. “What we’ve learned during that time can be translated into real
value for the betterment of society. Our wisdom, insight – it’s all of tangible benefit to the
world around us.”

5. Lifelong learning helps us adapt to change.

Society is in a state of constant flux. Often as we age we might feel like the proverbial “old
dog that can’t learn new tricks.” “Not true at all,” says Nordstrom. “Lifelong learning enables
us to keep up with society’s changes - especially the technological ones. A learning
environment with our peers not only makes it possible to stay abreast of change, it also
makes it fun.”

4. Lifelong learning helps us find meaning in our lives.

“Sometimes it’s difficult looking back on our lives,” says Nordstrom. “But lifelong learning
gives us the benefit of real perspective and enables us to find true meaning in the hills and
valleys of our past.”

3. Lifelong learning keeps us involved as active contributors to society.

No longer content to sit in a rocker on the porch wiling away the hours, today’s retirees and
Baby Boomers about to retire want and demand more from their later years. “We’re out and
about,” says Nordstrom. “We’re taking part in educational programs, traveling all over the
world, and offering our expertise to society through meaningful community involvement.
We’re not a strain on society; we’re an incredible asset.”

2. Lifelong learning helps us make new friends and establish valuable relationships.

No one enjoys loneliness. And through lifelong learning, older adults are meeting new
people, forging friendships and relationships with others, and enjoying an active social life.
“Lifelong learning is a brilliant way to keep in touch with people, meet new friends, and enjoy
life surrounded by the company of folks who are truly embracing the excitement of our later
years.”

1. Lifelong learning leads to an enriching life of self-fulfillment.

According to one lifelong learner from New York, “We base everything on the belief that our
capacity to learn and grow does not decrease as our years increase.” Concludes Nordstrom,
“Through academic learning, educational adventure travel and our renewed sense of
volunteerism, we expand our awareness, embrace self-fulfillment, and truly create an exciting
multi-dimensional life. It doesn’t get any better than that!”