Exploring the inner aspect of learning. Methodological considerations for investigating life-long learning This article sets out research methods required for qualitative research aimed at understanding the inner aspect of learning. The aim is to make qualitative single case studies more relevant with regard to issues of education policy and social analysis. For this purpose, the following measures are proposed. (1) Close reading and reflexivity: Precisely studying the source texts sheds lig…
Competence or authorization? PISA – a challenge also for adult education and research PISA also provokes adult education and adult pedagogy to a new evaluation of the prerequisites of participation in adult education and the meaning of “making up for” by means of adult education, of a heterogenous programme which has received less attention since the reform of education. Therefore this contribution scetches the state of the art of the compensatory education for adults (basic education, scho…
For the author, "globalization" and "lifelong learning" are the epitome of disengagement in the economic and/or the pedagogic field. Using the genre of meditation, he develops the concept of disengagement - a shedding of limitations - by the example of disasters, markets, exacting demands in the context of learning, the power of the economy, the responsibilities for education. Reflecting on Comenius and Ralf Dahrendorf, the author tries to “bring the amok-running economism back to its senses” a…
Already Max Scheler developed a functional definition of education. With Scheler, education is not only not opposed to usefulness, but even prerequisite for reaching certain aims at all. In terms of the postmodernist media and mass society the relationship between education and usefulness has to be reformulated. With reference to Lyotard, the author develops a concept of education as a regulative idea. Under these conditions, individuals are not expected to integrate themselves culturally into…
