Exploring the Impacts of Distance Higher Education on Adult Learners' Lives and Reclaiming Lifelong Learning as a Human Development Process

Autor/inn/en	Neves, Claudia; Henriques, Susana
Titel	Exploring the Impacts of Distance Higher Education on Adult Learners' Lives and Reclaiming Lifelong Learning as a Human Development Process
Quelle	In: Open Praxis, 12 (2020) 4, S.439-456 (18 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Neves, Claudia) ORCID (Henriques, Susana)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	2304-070X
Schlagwörter	Distance Education; Electronic Learning; Open Universities; Public Colleges; Lifelong Learning; Student Development; Skill Development; Technological Literacy; College Graduates; Nontraditional Students; Adults; Role of Education; Student Satisfaction; Teacher Education; Employment Level; Professional Development; Foreign Countries; Portugal + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Distance study; Distance learning; Fernunterricht; Offene Universität; Life-long learning; Lebenslanges Lernen; Kompetenzentwicklung; Qualifikationsentwicklung; Technisches Wissen; Hochschulabsolvent; Hochschulabsolventin; Bildungsauftrag; Lehrerausbildung; Lehrerbildung; Beschäftigungsgrad; Ausland
Abstract	This article intends to launch discussion and reflection on two main themes: lifelong learning and digital literacy in nowadays societies. In looking for the intersections between these concepts to connote them with a more humanistic and holistic perspective, we explore the potentials of distance learning in the lives of adult learners. The empirical basis for this exploration is a survey applied to 706 (143 respondents) graduates in the education of the Portuguese Open University to know their future projects and the impact of this degree in the various dimensions of their personal, social and professional lives. The conclusions of this analysis point to recognition, by the respondents, of the positive impacts that distance higher education has in their personal and social lives. However, these impacts are not as visible in professional terms since the answers show little significant professional progressions. In this sense, the article concludes that it is important to rethink the founding ideas of the concept of lifelong learning from a humanistic perspective and to approach it with a holistic and transversal conception of what is now defined as digital literacy. Distance education, for adult learners, is a scenario that not only strengthens the personal, social and professional development of individuals, but also the development of competencies applied not only to the digital world but also to each person's daily activities. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	International Council for Open and Distance Education. Lilleakerveien 23, 0283 Oslo, Norway. Tel: +47-22-06-26-30; Fax: +47-22-06-26-31; e-mail: icde@icde.org; Web site: http://www.openpraxis.org
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01