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We explore how adult education can be made inclusive, digital and effective.
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We offer research, transfer and infrastructure for lifelong learning.
The mature adult who participates voluntarily in free educational programmes is a basic assumption, which equally often supports theories and practices of adult education as it is empirically challenged. Neither supply nor demand is consistently characterized by voluntariness. Up to a certain degree, programmes and participation are mandatory. The assumption that responsible adults do not want to, should not and cannot be taught is also considered to be problematic. The article reveals good rea…
Over the past years, the term »adult« has been exposed to signs of disintegration – in this context, the author critically reflects upon the disciplinary view of adult education on adults, which held on too tightly to concepts of autonomy following the physical characteristics of adulthood. The scientific adult educational debate was disconnected from the goals of maturing the human soul. Within a psychologically broadened and deepened view, »grown up« may imply »grown over«, which requires not…
The article provides an education-theoretical reflection of spaces for teaching and learning in education centres. Adult education is defined as a »learning process concerning everyday life«, which requires particular architectural adjustments. In this context, Joachim Ludwig stresses that architecture is by far more than a simple arrangement of building material. Room structures rather contain a »significance« which has a great influence on the »standard of living« for learners as well as teac…
Cultural patterns characterize the architecture in which we live and learn. The article by Urs Maurer helps to discover these unconsciously perceived patterns as an architectural language and adopt it for educational building. It is based on the concept of architectural language being marked by polarities, particularly the antagonism between »death crystal« and »tree of life« coined by Ernst Bloch.
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.
This assumption does not seem plausible at first glance, but rather absurd instead. The regular manifestation of modern age as a knowledge-based society on the one hand as well as the consensual acceptance of the appeal for lifelong learning on the other hand, create the opposite of an image in which the pedagogical aspect of continuing education has been lost. The author argues that learners are increasingly left unsupported, lifelong learning has become more fiction than reality and continui…
The term “multiple literacy“ is up-to-date. Taking up the history of the term, we are attempting to contribute to a clarification. The relation of writing and reasoning on the one hand, and writing and society on the other is disputable. On that score, we are tracing the discussion and putting the concept of “legitimate literacy” up for debate.
Die Bedeutung von Alphabetisierung und Grundbildung in nationalen wie internationalen Bildungsdebatten ist unbestritten. Die in Deutschland angelaufenen Projekte werden im Jahr 2009 erste Arbeitsergebnisse vorstellen können. Die Beiträge dieses Heftes werden vornehmlich einen Beitrag zur Theorieentwicklung leisten und damit Grundlagen für die weitere Forschung auf diesem Gebiet schaffen.
