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In this article, terms and the state of research on adult numeracy are compiled in a systematic way. The findings and theories are selected according to their relation to the German-language discourse of adult education and at the same time embedded in a historical context as well as in international discourse. Many recent findings confirm Jean Lave’s approach in that numeracy differs from school mathematics in the high relevance of rules of thumb and estimates as well as in less formal procedu…
Competences assessed with the ProfilPASS for Young Adults can be used effectively by pupils for vocational choices, if the ProfilPASS is embedded in educational career guidance and supervised by qualified ProfilPASS counsellors. Previous experience reveals the imperative knowledge of the tool, its consultative approach and the particular field of application – the school context. The publication presents examples of implementation as well as practical recommendations for the successful applicat…
With respect to the Spatial Turn, an orientation becomes visible which clearly refers to the materiality of spatial arrangements. This trend to re-establish materiality entails the risk of returning behind the state of the Spatial Turn achieved so far. One opportunity to avoid the “space trap” might be to turn to a topological perspective. Such a perspective in adult education opens up for removing blind spots in the reception of the Spatial Turn and thus for the introduction of a frame that ca…
The author discusses the influence of the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) on the literacy education field in Canada. Methodology is holistic and centred around critical policy analysis. Finds Canada invested heavily in the surveys and has not yet changed policy or practice in response to the findings. Two reasons for lack of influence are suggested: the difficulty of comparing literacy survey results over time, and the lack of federal investment in the org…
Learner-oriented quality certification in continuing education (LQW) includes the requirement for education providers introducing this quality development system to speak about their values in their mission statements. Consciously engaging with these explicit values can contribute to reflexive quality development. The article looks at the mission statements of LQW users in terms of the values that are mentioned in an effort to determine whether a shared set of values can be found among adult an…
This contribution describes an approach for the assessment of the total expenditure for adult and continuing education and training (ACET) in Austria, broken down by public and private sources of financing. Variants of estimates of the expenditure are presented. Direct expenditure has been at 0.7% and the sum of direct and indirect expenditure at 1.2% of GDP in 2009. The largest share is born by the enterprises (40%), followed by the public (30-34%), and the individuals slightly below 30%. Amon…
Due to special legal status, differences in social structure, and fewer chances on the labor market, people with migration background are less successful in initial schooling and vocational training programs. They are also under-represented in the area of adult education. The role of continuing education counseling, therefore, is to inform immigrants interested in education of the many individual educational opportunities that are available, to purposefully remove educational barriers, and to p…
In order to reach real equality of men and women it is necessary to substitute not only women but also men and fathers in their role as an “active” father in family, society and professional life. The article describes education of fathers as a relatively new form of adult and further education focusing the consequences of social change processes and orientating by biographical transitions as there are pregnancy, bir th preparation, to be familiar with the role of parents, separation and di…
In today’s societies literacy is regarded as the prerequisite for participating in the professional and private spheres of everyday life. It is regarded as a human right, a tool for personal empowerment and a tool to influence the behaviour of individuals, families and communities. Despite the international consensus that literacy skills determine opportunities and provide access to today’s information-based societies, many adults in both industrialized and developing countries find themselves …
