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Biographical Learning as a Contribution to the Professionalization in Adult Education at University Level Biographical learning as a subject matter in the course of studies is a method to reflect upon and change individual learning strategies. One can describe such strategies both as an unconscious as well conscious reflection of biographies that strive for development. On the one hand, this is aiming at reflecting previous learning processes; on the other hand, this shall serve to develop a…
The Dynamis review has been designed to provide an overview about applications of the Dynamis approach in cognitive psychology. Since the development of computer-based scenarios Dynamis, based on linear structural equation systems, has become increasingly popular as a tool for analysing decision making and complex problem solving. Beginning with the role of system size, connectivity, and types of relations in a system (e. g, eigendynamics and side effects) it has been discussed how formal syste…
The aim of wider-benefits research is to record the complexity of benefits and other effects on both the personal and the societal levels deriving from the individual’s educational efforts. The central issue is: “What changes are affected by learning interventions?” Schuller/Desjardins 2010, p. 229). The exploration of the wider benefits of learning is still in its infancy. Pioneers in this field of research are, in particular, to be found in the UK – the Centre for Research on the Wider B…
The development of interest in adult education This article presents results of a project funded by the DFG on the development of interest in continuing and further education. We connect our work to most recent research on biographical genesis of interest and focus occuring during an individual’s participation in adult education. As theoretical approach we refer to the Munich theory of interest and the pragmatist approach. We empirically investigate the opportunities and limitations of a qua…
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…
Temporalized “Bildungsgestalten” (educational formations) – The formation of the subject in the context of Lifelong Learning The article outlines the reference framework of an ongoing DFG-financed research project. Based on theoretical assumptions which rest upon German Bildungstheorie the project analyses Lifelong Learning as a special mode of the formation of subjects. The projects’ core research concept, which brings into focus the importance of education for the formation of the subjec…
