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This article aims at analyzing the consequences of using educational monitoring data for adult education research. Refering to the Statistics on German “Volkshochschulen” (Adult Education Centers) the advantages and challenges that the usage of educational monitoring data brings for research purposes are shown. This is made explicit by focussing on the research project “Governance structures and educational performance profiles in adult education organizations” (GLOW) and discussing the empiric…
The article systematizes perspectives for the development of supply structures for people with a migrant background, especially for refugees. For this purpose, the article defines an integration concept that focuses various educationally relevant levels and dimensions, which are entangled with a perspective of the intercultural and transcultural adult and further education. Based on the results from various program analyzes studies and ongoing research projects, it furthermore reflects, how the…
Referring to the KOSMOS project, the article examines the significance of quality in academic continuing education, the requirements directed at quality management, and options for development in the project. The focus is on new programmes for non-traditional target groups.
This paper draws on three data sources – a national survey from Germany of adult literacy and numeracy skills (leo. – Level-One Study), the OECD’s Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competences (PIAAC), and case studies of workplaces in England – to argue for a greater focus by policymakers and researchers on the literacy demand experienced by adults. We consider the heterogeneity of the population of adults deemed functionally illiterate by large-scale national and internatio…
More lower rungs for the ladder. A proposal for new literacy levels This article asks whether international models can be applied as a means of finding well-differentiated literacy levels to map skills acquired during the literacy process. To this effect, the article examines the American “component approach”, the English “entry levels” and the “lower rungs approach”. One result is that the article leans towards the means of educational diagnosis known as “formative assessment”. Based on thi…
Little is known about the qualifications of trainers in further vocational education. Some hold a degree in educational sciences. At the same time prospective trainers seem to be part of the target group of programs that specialize in adult education. The study focuses on which contents are intended in these programs and whether they could qualify for a later occupational activity as a training professional. For this purpose the course descriptions of 32 programs were analyzed and 10 responsibl…
Adult education for people without school graduation or graduation from vocaltional training Report on a study for the OECD Germany participated in the partial undertaking “adult learning of the low educated and low skilled” within the OECD-programme “Thematic review on adult learning: The second round”. The contribution describes the decrease of the level of qualification of the younger population and from this it names the resulting requirements to adult education.
The paper reviews developmental-psychological research on the (in-)stability of adult personality aspects. Big Five personality traits as well as surface characteristics are addressed. Hereby, the direction and the extent of change are compared for various personality aspects, and the influences on personality changes are discussed. Finally, conclusions are drawn for the field of adult education.
A gloss on the panel discussions as a mostly joyless part of congresses and conferences. Due to nonprofessional moderation, an oversized need for harmony and the participants’ gift for languages, the format of perception of the author releases its claims, which goes as following: To stage a »fascinating« dialogue, bringing opponents together, making differences transparent or bringing about consensus
In the present European context migrants and refugees are represented as a threat to security in the first place. Adult Education, especially when subsidised by the state, finds itself in a double-bind. On the one hand it has to offer a place for “Bildung” for all adults, where they can develop themselves according to their interests, capabilities and needs. Unequal chances are to be reduced and the humanistic ideal of development and expression of one’s personality shall be met. On the other h…