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This article regards the publication of a text-foto-volume on the 100-year-history of the German Volkshochschule as an impulse for a possible innovation of writing history of adult education. First, the methodological principles of a both empirical and narrative historiography and its terminology will be described. Departing from a pragmatic moral intention of the book to present an affirmative history of the Volkshochschule, the article suggests a historical-normative historiography. Thereafte…
The article deals with the question how learning is made possible in time and space in university continuing education. The analysis focuses on the phases of on-site study and self-study, which are regarded as two forms of dealing with time and space in university continuing education. Both formats present specific challenges for the students, showing that the quality of learning time and learning spaces plays a key role in participation. In addition, times and places for on-site study and self…
The planning of teaching and learning is a key task for teachers of adult and continuing education. This recurrent challenge demands situational decisions regarding objectives, contents, media and activities of teaching and learning, taking into consideration both the learner as well as organisational and spatial factors. However, empirical research indicates that these complex and interdependent decisions are often tackled insufficiently. Digital planning tools can be used to reduce the comple…
The present discourse in further education is recurringly concerned with cultures, systems and networks. Karin Dollhausen aims at furthering this discussion by drawing a neat line of definition between these crucial terms under the aspect of the sociology of organisations. She goes on to explain what each of the terms does or should mean for public institutions of further education: »culture« – seen as the system of relationships within an organisation – sharpens the view of internal communicat…
From 2002 on the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) will be sponsoring 80 regional networks in the context of the „Learning Regions – promotion of networks“ programme. This programme will be scientifically monitored by a consortium formed by the German Institute of Adult Education (DIE), the German Institute of Economic Research (DIW), and the universities of Duisburg and Munich. The author will be in charge of the overall scientific supervision. In his article he pres…
Unter Rückgriff auf eigene Erfahrungen in der Biografiearbeit mit Menschen im höheren Lebensalter erläutert der Autor den Zusammenhang von Ambiguität, Ambiguitätstoleranz und Identität. Dabei diene auch die rückschauende Biografiearbeit nicht nur der Bilanzierung, sondern der Gegenwartsgestaltung und -bewältigung.
The author traces the change in paradigm in educational policy from the perspective of the Ministry in charge as a »fundamental empirical change«. It shows structures and framework conditions underlying pertinent major projects (National Educational Panel, technology-based testing, the Programme for Empirical Educational Research) and draws attention to the output and competence orientation as their “leitmotif”. By the same token it views educational policy and educational research as being dep…
