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The latest number of the Berichtssystem Weiterbildung (»Further Education Report System«) of the Federal Ministry for Education and Research marks a trend reversal: whereas in the last periods under review an increase in the attendance of further education courses was to be observed, currently attendance is regressive by five percent points – particularly in general further education. The author presumes that one reason for this is education’s focussing on the labour market perspective, an atti…
Strategies for the strengthening of networking work Selected results from the context of the programme of the Federal Ministry for Education and Research “Learning culture and competency development” A large number of publications on the subject matter of network are engaged with the conditions of the initiation as well as the management of networks. An issue that has so far been neglected in research however poses the question of the strengthening of networking work. The initiation of netw…
Striving for quality is at the core of pedagogical professionalism. Therefore the science of further education has to intervene in the quality discussion in two ways: Firstly, it must develop criteria by which systems of quality assurance can be compared and by which their appropriateness for the sector of further education can be evaluated. Secondly, it must inquire yet more persistently into the specifics of pedagogical quality and find out what further education science can contribute toward…
Changes in the managerial staff of (educational) organizations bring about times of transition with multiple challenges. How can members of the staff be prepared to assume leadership positions? How can new personnel be found and attracted to stay? How can the induction period and the effective transfer of knowledge be organized? To successfully meet all these challenges, a forward-looking strategy is needed, which can be used as groundwork for concrete measures regarding managerial changes. Thi…
The research memorandum for adult and continuing education (2000) focuses systematically on main research areas and contributes significantly to the systematization of the research landscape, the enhancement of possible collaborations and the provision of an overview of research achievements in the discipline for research sponsors as well as the public. Since 2007, adult educational research projects can be entered in a data base in accordance with the memorandum systematic. Acknowledging that …
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…
Hattie‘s study »Visible Learning« is no reason to call for didactic changes in adult education - this is this article’s conclusion of the New Zealander’s meta-study from a continuing educational perspective. Nontheless, Hattie provides significant suggestions for the didactic debate. These suggestions include guidelines for suitable teaching activities as well as his rather provocative findings on the positive effects of actively guided lessons, which do not contradict adult educational conside…
The author presents examples of good practice and defines central tasks and processes of modern libraries, which are regarded as central learning spaces for adults. Using the criteria »shortage – surplus«, »consumption – co-creation« and »product – process«, the relevant social challenges for libraries and adult education are described. It becomes evident that libraries and adult education are in a period of transition, which requires suitable architectural solutions.
Lifelong learning on a high quality level is a condition for participation in further economical and social developments in society. But how are lifelong learning activities to be financed? Are projects of the European Union the key for solving financial problems of institutional and organized learning? The author describes his experiences made with the acquisition of EU-projects. The article points out difficulties and problems in the process of acquisition, searching partners and trying to co…
From gender related education via the gender mainstreaming to the gender competence The different participation of women and men in adult education gives clues for their different circumstances in life and attributions that have a hierarchic impact concerning the gainful employment and securing of financial existence. These gender typical contexts are traditionally subject matter part of the women's movement or gender related educational work that took up a large space in the adult education…
