279 participants in a survey on elearning applications for foreign language learning in Volkshochschulen (German adult education schools) had little prior knowledge. While they do indeed have interest in such applications, they still keep to formats known from their previous learning experience. The participants in the survey estimate the potential of e-learning applications for foreign language learning as positive, but only in combination with traditional non-virtual classes. The…
The EQUAL development cooperation project »Virtual Centre of European Education« is an example of how on the part of the European Union discrimination on the labour market is to be combated. In the article six subprojects of the cooperation are evaluated as to whether they correspond to European directives for the promotion of employment. The examined qualification measures implement standards like empowerment, equal opportunities, abatement of xenophobia as well as the use of information and c…
In Germany numerous instruments exist for the documentation of individual activities of lifelong learning in formal, non-formal and informal educational contexts. Under the heading of »education passport« alone there are 48 different activities. A systematical and comprehensive approach to the recording, documentation and evaluation of knowledge, skills and competences is lacking up to now. The authors of the DIE project BIBER plumb the chances for a convergence process, which however faces pro…
Sind die PISA-Ergegnisse für die Deutschen nur halb so schlimm, wie viele behaupten? PISA-Forscher Heller von der OECD erläutert, welche Schlüsse für das lebenslange Lernen (nicht) gezogen werden können. Darüber hinaus gibt er Informationen über geplante Studien in Zusammenarbeit mit der OECD, die helfen, die Zusammenhänge zwischen den vorliegenden PISA-Ergebnissen und den Fähigkeiten heutiger und künftiger Erwachsener besser zu bewerten.
Teacher training responds to the PISA results with professional qualification of the teaching staff in the areas of deficiency (language and reading competence, mathematical-scientific knowledge, competence in diagnosis and support). Apart from that it must also help school as a system to evolve in manifold ways (obligatory training, school autonomy, staff development, co-operation of schools in matters of instruction, systematical planning of training measures).
Research on humans and animals gives evidence for the fact that older beings learn more slowly than younger ones, yet for this very reason they are able to build up internal representations of the true values to be learned in an increasingly more precise manner. Through frequent repetition general structures of experiences are learned. Thus, a decreasing rate of learning that comes with old age is just one side of the coin.
The article sets out to identify common prejudices on e-learning. Its pedagogical surplus depends on the methodical-didactic design. The authors back their verdict by experiences of learners in an online-based course. Learners judge new-mediasupported learning as being intensive, communicative, but time-consuming. E-learning requires self-discipline, selfmotivation, self-organisation, good time management and basic technical competences.
Federal law as envisaged in the socalled Hartz paper provides for the introduction of education vouchers. Is political education concerned? Against this background, the author explores funding structures of political education on the federal as well as on the Länder plane, of municipalities and foundations. Her verdict is disenchanting: many institutions of political education, especially the very small ones, are facing their end. This is corroborated by two statements of experts from the field…
