ICT and Lifelong LearningICT and Lifelong Learning

Robin MasonRobin Mason

Institute of Educational Institute of Educational TechnologyTechnology

The Open UniversityThe Open University

Attributes of Lifelong Attributes of Lifelong LearningLearning

• Authentic, complex problemsAuthentic, complex problems

• Intrinsically rewarding activitiesIntrinsically rewarding activities

• Learning-on-demandLearning-on-demand

• Recognises the essentially social Recognises the essentially social nature of learningnature of learning

• Learning-how-to learn skills and Learning-how-to learn skills and processesprocesses

ICT as both the problem and ICT as both the problem and the solution!the solution!

The problem:The problem:Information overloadInformation overload

Lack of privacyLack of privacy

Security concernsSecurity concerns

Addictive behavioursAddictive behaviours

CostsCosts

AccessAccess

Training and supportTraining and support

The SolutionThe SolutionICT can widen accessICT can widen accessICT embodies a learner-ICT embodies a learner-

centred approachcentred approachICT supports ICT supports

collaborative learningcollaborative learningICT provides interactive ICT provides interactive

rather than passive rather than passive learninglearning

ICT can be problem-ICT can be problem-based and therefore based and therefore authenticauthentic

ICT facilitates informal ICT facilitates informal learninglearning

Informal and Non-formal Informal and Non-formal LearningLearningOnline CommunitiesOnline Communities

- Health issuesHealth issues- HobbiesHobbies- Support groupsSupport groups- Local eventsLocal events

- EdutainmentEdutainment- GamesGames- Interactive TVInteractive TV

- Taster coursesTaster courses- Short non-formal Short non-formal

learning eventslearning events

Formal LearningFormal Learning

• ICT can facilitate a ICT can facilitate a re-think of traditional re-think of traditional lecture courses tolecture courses to– improve motivationimprove motivation– add interactivity, add interactivity,

collaboration and collaboration and student-centred student-centred activitiesactivities

– develop online develop online communities communities including alumni including alumni eventsevents

Fostering an awareness of Fostering an awareness of lifelong learninglifelong learning

• Developing e-Developing e-learning skills and learning skills and processesprocesses

• Encouraging student-Encouraging student-directed learningdirected learning

• E-portfoliosE-portfolios• Facilitating online Facilitating online

communitiescommunities• Online events and Online events and

activitiesactivities