Lifelong learning in Scotland: cohesion, equity and

participationField, J. (2009), Scottish Educational Review, 41 (2), 4-19

What is Lifelong Learning?

Lifelong learning is the ongoing voluntary and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons.

Continual learning enables people to adapt to the ever changing world.

Why?

Lifelong learning is important for various reasons such as:A way of fostering economic growth and social

inclusion (Field, J 2009) Increases employabilityFor personal well-being & fulfillmentTo support children’s learning Developing new knowledge and skills in adulthood

Lifelong learning

The idea of lifelong learning has been adopted by the Scottish Government in recent years

They have set a strategy to provided students with lifelong skills in order to allow them to continue learning throughout their adult life.

This is a key part of Scotland’s new curriculum; Curriculum for Excellence (successful leaners).

Lifelong learning in Scotland: cohesion, equity and participation

Key ideas of John Field’s paperThe promotion of social cohesionScottish ParticipationAnalysis on the relationship between lifelong

learning and social cohesion Scotland’s existing lifelong learning system

The promotion of social cohesion

Lifelong brings people together by teaching them to work together effectively. They have shared the same learning experience over a long period time.

• “education played a significant role in social integration, helping to overcome tensions between the classes and allowing social mobility” (Field, J 2009)

The promotion of social cohesion

This idea of bringing all types of people together through education is a very powerful method especially in modern society.

This is shown by the European Commission’s Memorandum urging governments to promote active citizenship and a positive tolerance of diversity.

The promotion of social cohesion

Field states that Nordic nations show greater performance levels since the equality gap is so low. This is due to the social cohesion that has been formed over many years of continual lifelong learning.

The case study of the Nordic nations suggests that there is a positive relationship between lifelong learning and social cohesion, which in turn should be implemented in Bonnie Auld Scotland.

Scottish Participation

In general, lifelong learning participation in Scotland is just above the UK average.

80% of Scottish Adults have taken part in learning in the last three years

74% have done it for their job

28% did it for pleasure

(Field, J. Lecture Notes)

Scottish Participation

Studies show that participation in lifelong learning sharply depreciates with age

Those people with the highest level of educational qualification are those most likely to continue to learn

People in high occupations are also more likely to learn

(Field, J. Lecture Notes)

Scottish Participation

Field helps to break down his argument through the use of tables and graphs

These tables and figures help to demonstrate his point of view

Providing the paper with more clarity and allowing the reader to visualise the data sets

Social Inequalities in Participation

“there is a positive association between time spent in continuous full time initial education and participation in learning” (Ormston, Dobbie, Cleghorn 2007: 17)

There are many social inequalities surrounding lifelong learning

Social Inequalities in Participation

People who left initial education early are less likely to go on to participate in adult learning

Those people who come from a working class background are also less likely to take part in adult education

People with less educational qualifications are least likely to continue learning

There are also links between other social inequalities in participation such as, age, gender, ethnicity, economic status.

How valid is Field’s argument

John Field specialises in the study of post secondary school education thus having an in depth knowledge of learning in adulthood

He covers a wide range of valid arguments surrounding the participation in adult education.

How valid is Field’s argument

Field uses various references and statistics to help back up his argument. He also illustrates his views with several graphs and charts which give depth to his thesis

Through his knowledge and evidence he presents a valid case on the importance of life long learning for society in Scotland.

A cheeky wee quote

“Lifelong learning is not a desirable policy goal on its own, but should provide an overarching framework within which all education policy should be developed, with the aim of lifelong learning for all” (Schemmann 2007)

To Conclude

A few thought provoking questions to leave on:

What is your opinion on lifelong learning?

Do you think you will participate in lifelong learning?

If so, why? Or why not?