This article discusses the question how knowledge may be used for new or alternative learning decisions and in how far the post-modern understanding of “knowledge” is involved in this process. More precisely, it is discussed how organisations and individuals use knowledge as a result of learning in general and with respect to continuing learning decisions and how expectations and evaluations regarding the use of continuing education are placed in cultures of learning. The argument is based on l…
The article provides an insight into the first results of the PIAAC study and links it with mixed-method and qualitative-empirical approaches as well as the development of competencies in life course. For this purpose, it shows two studies which focus an individual development approach in contrast to the quantitative assessment approach of PIAAC. The aim is to present advantages and disadvantages of different research perspectives.
Voluntary work 2.0? Media-related conditions for voluntary work in the Internet A participation culture has developed in the Internet which is broadly discussed under the rubric of “Web 2.0” and which is explored in this article to determine the principles of voluntary work operating here. To this end the author first forwards a definition of voluntary work in “offline” reality before examining the communications-related conditions prevailing in the Internet upon which a conception of volun…
Continuing education at schools of higher learning – data on developments in the context of the Bologna process Wide-ranging, different and at the same time diverging factors are having an impact on schools of higher learning, causing uncertainty among staff as well as institutional insecurity. This also goes for scholarly continuing education. In general it would appear that there is a trend towards commercialisation of universities linked with a growing autonomy of sub-units, faculties and…
The article studies the image of adults behind the concept of lifelong learning. Educational policy documents are studied, which substantiate strategies of lifelong learning on a global, European and national level. Papers issued by the UNESCO, OECD, EU-Commission and Federal/State Commission for Educational Planning and Research Promotion (Bund-Länder-Kommission – BLK) rarely explicitly include adults. The adult is – if included at all – outlined as a working person, as a citizen and as a resp…
There are only a few studies on the scale and structure of on-the-job-training for elder employees. This article provides basic results using data of the IAB-Establishment-Panel. In addition to human capital theory we try to explain the firm behaviour considering rational choice theory, which allows non-economic explications. After introducing descriptive statistics, the authors test the assumption whether a positive (negative) attitude towards elderly leads to more (less) training. Results ind…
The European Union has only a subsidiary educational assignment. Hence ist does not astonish that there are no ordinance and guidelines for the educational area to be found in the joint primary law. Certainly there are primary laws coming out from other political fields which are tangent to education. Essentially the European Union helps itself to soft legislative provision such as decisions concerning support programmes, recommendations, statements or communiques. Within the framework of the m…
Quo vadis graduate? First assessment of the BA/MA study location Bochum The contribution looks through experiences in relation to graduates of B.A. and M.A. courses of study in educational science in Bochum. Concerning the bachelor: The graduate quota with 60 per cent is much higher than previous quotas – like in the master course of study. While approximately half of the graduates continue their study in Bochum, others enter the employment market directly. They find employment in the wider s…
Vienna’s adult education centres have developed a frame curriculum which focuses on the eight European key competences in continuing education with consideration of national and European educational strategies as well as the European Qualification Framework. The report focuses on the frame curriculum’s key elements and its contact points with the National Qualification Framework – taking the programme area of art and culture as an example. Cultural awareness and artistic competence as a key com…
Working in small groups can be regarded as constitutive for learning with cases. Using the example of case-based “train the trainer courses”, this contribution focuses on cooperative learning processes in small groups regarding the contents of the conversation and discussion structure as well as the effects on the competence development of individual adult learners. The presented results provide an insight of the processes of situated, problem-based learning in small groups which are common in …
