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The concept of competencies has expansive effects for the definition of goals, contents and methods in teaching. The orientation on competencies therefore is more than a didactic principle like active-learning or learner-centered instruction. Coming from a concept of competencies as a didactical category as well as an aim of teaching, we will argue, that a comprehensive theoretical approach is needed, which delivers a theoretical founded orientation for both the decisions on contents and the me…
This book gives an overview of central aspects of Adult Education and Training in Cyprus in an attempt to sketch out the country’s profile in the field. Based on empirical findings from a current research project, Maria Gravani and Alexandra Ioannidou present a range of data and information regarding the historical development of Adult and Continuing Eeducation in the island, the adult education and training institutions, financing, provision, participation, staff and professionalism, quality a…
First results from the PIAAC survey, which was conducted in 25 countries, will be published in October 2013 by OECD. PIAAC collected information about adult competencies through representative data from a background questionnaire and from assessments of three competence domains. In Germany exists an additional study called "Competencies in Later Life" (CiLL), which is designed for people (aged) between 66 and 80 years. This article presents the context of the study, the process of data collecti…
Initial results of the Level One Survey Germany (leo.) show that functional illiteracy affects 14.5 percent of working-age population (18–64 years of age). This translates into 7.5 million people who lack functional literacy skills in Germany. We will first introduce the method and design of the study. We will then explain the decisions taken in order to obtain the estimate of the dimension of functional illiteracy. These decisions were carefully taken, and they have contributed to a rather con…
The article illustrates a heuristic model that describes the multidimensional interdisciplinary social phenomena of functional illiteracy in a clearly arranged way. To implement professional literacy programmes that match the different target groups, scientific findings about educational deprivation, life circumstances and barriers to equal participation in connection with low literacy skills are to be arranged in a proper order. One result of the research project “HABIL” is the development of …
Knowledge and experience can be understood as pivotal didactic variables not only in age-based learning environments but also in intergenerational learning cultures. This article focuses these two concepts and analyses them with regard to their function and relevance in intergenerational learning cultures. The theoretical and empirical findings of a triangulative study will support the argument. By presenting a theoretical and practical dichotomy concerning the use of knowledge and experience i…
This article reports on expert assessments of the opportunities and risks of the current DQR process from the perspective of adult education centres. The seven experts from Germany and Austria who were surveyed in the EU Transfer Project critically analyse above all the focus on formal learning. The change in orientational perspective towards towards learning results can offer an impetus for programme planning, but also requires new skills and abilities on the part of further educational staff.