So that we all know what we mean by Lifelong Learning we are adopting the UNESCO definition while we work in the Lifelong Learning Labs.
Lifelong learning addresses …
All age groups
Lifelong learning is a process that starts at birth and extends across the whole lifespan. It provides people of all ages and origins with learning opportunities and activities, responding to their specific needs in different life and professional stages.
All levels of education
Lifelong learning is about linking all levels and types of education, building adaptable pathways between them. This includes early childhood care and education, primary and secondary school education, higher education, adult and non-formal education, and technical and vocational education and training.
All learning modalities
Lifelong learning recognizes all modalities of learning: formal (institutionalized, leading to recognized qualifications), non-formal (institutionalized, alternative or complementary to formal education, usually not leading to recognized qualifications) and informal (not institutionalized, on a self-directed, family-directed, community or socially directed basis).
All learning spheres and spaces
Schools are just one part of a wide learning universe, a space that also includes families, communities, workplaces, libraries, museums and other online and distance learning platforms. To promote lifelong learning is to build bridges between the formal education sector and non-formal and informal learning environments in order to create new opportunities for very diverse learning needs.
A variety of purposes
Lifelong learning is both people-centred and human rights-based. Its purpose is to provide people with opportunities to develop their capabilities and reach their potential throughout life, regardless of their starting points; to acknowledge a wide range of learning needs and demands; and to contribute to the development of an advanced economy and inclusive society.
https://www.unesco.org/en/lifelong-learning/need-know
We feel that this definition touches on a number of elements which we want to explore further in the Labs:
- Connections between formal and informal learning
- All ages
- “People-centred and human rights based” – part of a wider social justice movement
- Anywhere – community settings and online as well as traditional education settings
- “a wide learning universe”
In other words, we feel that the discussions shouldn’t be hampered or “bogged down” by narrow or technical definitions of what we mean.
It is also helpful to know that the Learning & Work Institute adopts a similarly broad definition in its annual survey of participation.
“The survey adopts a purposely broad definition of learning, extending beyond government and employer funded education and training opportunities for adults: ‘Learning can mean practising, studying, or reading about something. It can also mean being taught, instructed or coached. This is so you can develop skills, knowledge, abilities or understanding of something. Learning can also be called education or training. You can do it regularly (each day or month) or you can do it for a short period of time. It can be full-time or part-time, done at home, at work, or in another place like college. Learning does not have to lead to a qualification. We are interested in any learning you have done, whether or not it was finished.’”
We feel that these broad definitions help us to get the conversation going, but if you feel that the definitions leave anything out or need approaching differently, let us know.
