Freies Heft

Further training (FT) is an important element of the modern knowledge economy. Based on expert interviews from four case-study regions, the paper analyses the relevance of markets, hierarchies, and networks as coordination mechanisms in FT, the strategies of providers, and the resulting performance of local FT service systems. We find increasing modularisation and digitalisation of FT services, which enables FT provision in less attractive markets but does not contribute to the value coproduction required for an increase of FT participation of employees.

This article aims at analyzing the consequences of using educational monitoring data for adult education research. Refering to the Statistics on German “Volkshochschulen” (Adult Education Centers) the advantages and challenges that the usage of educational monitoring data brings for research purposes are shown. This is made explicit by focussing on the research project “Governance structures and educational performance profiles in adult education organizations” (GLOW) and discussing the empirical design and the cluster analysis which was carried out on the basis of data from the Statistics on German “Volkshochschulen”.

The question how to improve the short-term as well as the long-term success of continuing vocational education and training (CVET) is of great importance for companies. Currently, however, evaluations in practice are still often only of a summative nature. Based on a practically applicable model and empirical data from participants in a wide range of CVET courses (N?=?477), this paper presents various factors organisations can use to affect the subjective success of CVET, both in the “learning field” (i.?e., the CVET activity itself) and the “performance field” (i.?e., the work context). Regression analyses indicate the short-term success is mainly related to the quality of the CVET activity, whereas long-term success is more dependent on the quality of the performance field.

Teachers’ knowledge about teaching methods is an important facet of adult education teachers’ pedagogical/psychological knowledge (PPK). The authors examine whether and how this knowledge is correlated with the educational background and the teaching experience of N?=?212 adult education teachers. The results point to a positive correlation between the amount of further training concerning the topic teaching and learning and the knowledge about teaching methods. Moreover, teachers with a focal point on vocational training showed a relatively high amount of knowledge about teaching methods. Contrary to the assumptions, there was no (direct) correlation between teachers’ teaching experience and teachers’ knowledge as well as between teachers’ pedagogical education and teachers’ knowledge. Finally, results are discussed with regard to their reliability and reach as well as to their contribution to the present discourse in the field of adult education.

In the present European context migrants and refugees are represented as a threat to security in the first place. Adult Education, especially when subsidised by the state, finds itself in a double-bind. On the one hand it has to offer a place for “Bildung” for all adults, where they can develop themselves according to their interests, capabilities and needs. Unequal chances are to be reduced and the humanistic ideal of development and expression of one’s personality shall be met. On the other hand—institutions of adult education are turned to adjuncts of the state apparatus by misusing them for monitoring and controlling the migrant participants. To maintain a critical, reflexive and resistant attitude in such a dilemma, time and space for a self-reflexive approach is needed. Time and space, which is too often insufficiently available in daily practice. On the basis of interviews with educational staff, responsible for the organisation of German Courses for migrants and refugees, the power lines running through present pedagogical practice are expounded. Following, vestiges of rooms, where resistance still is possible, are delineated. Rooms, where inherent goals of adult education, still can be achieved and questions concerning a change of given societal relations can be asked.