Continuing education is a broad concept. It includes all the learning opportunities outside basic and primary education. It extends beyond completion of formal schooling and into adult continuing education. When we talk about adult education, we are talking about education for different reasons. Some adults want to continue their education for mental stimulation, for personal growth, self confidence, social interaction or to acquire new knowledge. No matter what the reasons for studying may be, one thing is certain, adult continuing education is a major contributor to the society’s well being.
In today’s information and technological world, ongoing movement calls for life-long learning. There are many technologies that allow learners and learning processes to break the defined segments of primitive education systems and support present dynamic new opportunities. These technologies have allowed for alternative mechanisms that help in facilitating the delivery of information in a low-cost way. Adult continuing education systems allow for learners to link new information to new sets of reference points around learning. An effective learning program needs to produce, not ‘knowers’ but learners. A knower simply accumulates facts and stores concepts while a learner creates, elaborates concepts and applies the knowledge gained. These concepts are fully valid to adult continuing education systems. The goal should be, not to learn to know or do, but to learn to become learning oriented. This requires learners who can adapt their activities each new day to what is happening.
Adult continuing education often displays characteristics that are not found in children education. These include problem-centered learning and task-oriented learning. Since adults prefer to deal with problems that are known to them, their education must be centered on meaningful problem-solving approaches that might be encountered in their particular life situations. Their education should also be directed towards the attainment of specific goals or toward solving particular problems.
Adult learners are also actively practicing experts in their respective fields. They usually unconsciously influence their learning progress as a result of their wide experiences. Because of their independent self-reliant attitude, adult learners tend to accomplish or solve problems by relying on their personal experiences. Humans learn best when they are presented with meaningful material that is based on already and mastered skills and knowledge. Since they are also willing to take an active part in the learning process, they also need adequate stimulus material to keep their enthusiasm going. Providing feedback by asking questions is also important in motivating and getting them actively involved. Finally, it should not be forgotten that even in adult continuing education, while educators love education, the adult students will love what education can bring.
In today’s information and technological world, ongoing movement calls for life-long learning. There are many technologies that allow learners and learning processes to break the defined segments of primitive education systems and support present dynamic new opportunities. These technologies have allowed for alternative mechanisms that help in facilitating the delivery of information in a low-cost way. Adult continuing education systems allow for learners to link new information to new sets of reference points around learning. An effective learning program needs to produce, not ‘knowers’ but learners. A knower simply accumulates facts and stores concepts while a learner creates, elaborates concepts and applies the knowledge gained. These concepts are fully valid to adult continuing education systems. The goal should be, not to learn to know or do, but to learn to become learning oriented. This requires learners who can adapt their activities each new day to what is happening.
Adult continuing education often displays characteristics that are not found in children education. These include problem-centered learning and task-oriented learning. Since adults prefer to deal with problems that are known to them, their education must be centered on meaningful problem-solving approaches that might be encountered in their particular life situations. Their education should also be directed towards the attainment of specific goals or toward solving particular problems.
Adult learners are also actively practicing experts in their respective fields. They usually unconsciously influence their learning progress as a result of their wide experiences. Because of their independent self-reliant attitude, adult learners tend to accomplish or solve problems by relying on their personal experiences. Humans learn best when they are presented with meaningful material that is based on already and mastered skills and knowledge. Since they are also willing to take an active part in the learning process, they also need adequate stimulus material to keep their enthusiasm going. Providing feedback by asking questions is also important in motivating and getting them actively involved. Finally, it should not be forgotten that even in adult continuing education, while educators love education, the adult students will love what education can bring.