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.
After the federal elections, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research has taken on a new organisational structure. For the first time, its activities in further education are now bundled together in a seperate department (»Lifelong Learning, Further Education«), thus enabling the ministry to »speak with one voice«. On top of this, the superior department is »University, Further Education«, which shows that the two are considered as equivalent from the organisationalpolitical viewpoint.
Die Bildung der Zukunft zu verbessern ist erklärtes Ziel des Programms einer »evidenzbasierten Bildungsreform«. Im Hintergrund schwingen dabei indikatorenbasierte Ziele mit, die sich in Beteiligungsquoten an Weiterbildung oder Kompetenzniveaus der Bevölkerung operationalisieren lassen. Voraussetzung solcher Verbesserungen ist, dass das entsprechende Forschungswissen seinen Weg zu Praxis und Politik erfolgreich findet. Aber gelingt das, und wenn ja, wie?
Der 2024 veröffentlichte zweite Zyklus der PIAAC -Studie ermöglicht erstmals die Betrachtung der Kompetenzentwicklung über die Zeit hinweg. Das Ergebnis ist ernüchternd: Während nur zwei Länder Fortschritte bei den Lesekompetenzen verzeichnen, hat sich die Schere zwischen Leistungsstarken und Leistungsschwachen weiter geöffnet. Die Mitverfasserin der Studie stellt die Kernergebnisse vor und zeigt, wo die Erwachsenenbildung ansetzen muss.
The authors take the model of reproduction contexts, which has been developed by Josef Schrader in order to systematize the adult education sector, as a point of departure to discuss the possibilities of its empirical transfer. Based on the re-analysis of structural data of adult education institutions the problems of transfer of a theoretically developed model are explored. They conclude by outlining impulses for further discussions.
Educational research is often focused on biographies. Literacy and basic education frequently use knowledge about biographies as a means for educational support within the scope of catch-up education (“second chance”). The article discusses how biographically generated knowledge can be transferred into pedagogical practice. The authors give up on the idea of a direct “utilization” of biographical insights into practical work – the yield is rather to indirectly stimulate and irritate professiona…
Movement shapes the brain: findings of brain research bearing relevance to learning This article provides an overview of what influence athletics and movement has on brain processes. Based on several studies, it is shown that various forms of movement cause numerous types of adaptation at the cellular, molecular and neurochemical level which influence emotional, social and cognitive processes. It is also noted that by the same token there are gradual differences in these factors at various a…
Movement and experience as the breeding ground of learning From the perspective of experiential pedagogic the two authors develop an outline for experience and action-oriented practice in adult education. They examine in detail the hypotheses confirmed by brain research that the body is the actual site of human learning. This allows them to create the basis for a didactical setting conducive to learning which is heavily based on physical body-related experience in nature and in the communit…
Learning along biographical and career changes Based on a biographical sample from adult education centres (VHS), this article discusses the concept of research on learning environments. The factors for success will be evaluated together with reflections on how to prepare for an executive position in such institutions. This will allow for extracting conditions for learning in certain biographical settings. The challenge for learning is seen as a result of the individual’s changing reception…
