EDUCATION TRENDS

Lifelong Learning: Igniting Curiosity, Fostering Growth

9 February 2024/ By Zineb DJOUB

In a knowledge-based society, education extends far beyond traditional schools. Lifelong learning has become a necessity to navigate the complexities of the modern world. With Internet access, more flexible and diverse opportunities are provided for individuals to engage in continuous education throughout their lives. As lifelong learning has become the most important educational paradigm of our times, it’s crucial to comprehend its definition, significance, and the essential skills required to embrace its principles.

We, educators, also need to foster these skills in students to prepare them for continuous growth and success beyond the classroom.

What is lifelong learning?

Lifelong learning is “a concept linked with permanent and continuing education” (Pieck, 2002, p.144).

It involves acquiring the necessary skills that enable one not only to accumulate knowledge, but also to be trained to learn how to learn through the acquisition of cognitive, social, and creative skills, to achieve personal development and professional enhancement, and to participate actively in society and economy (Doukas, 2002).

Learning in this case is not confined to formal education, i.e. schools and universities, but it can also take place in non-formal settings, i.e., at home, workplace, etc. Accordingly, within this process, all individuals are concerned with learning despite their age, gender, or social status.

So, illiterate people, children, or adults who might not have pursued their learning for a set of reasons (being poor, the inadequacy or non-existence of formal schools, etc.) can benefit from lifelong learning facilities and have access to schooling.

However, lifelong learning does not imply merely acquiring skills and competencies, but it also involves a continuous process of updating them throughout life. Even those who hold qualifications or degrees need lifelong learning to update their skills and contribute to their society’s economic growth.

In a high-technology knowledge society, learners must become proactive and more autonomous, prepared to renew their knowledge continuously and to respond constructively to changing constellations of problems and contents (Ronai,2002, p.94).

Researchers identified three basic elements of lifelong learning. These are:

Continuity: Lifelong learning is an ongoing process of acquiring knowledge and skills throughout one’s life.

Creativity: Lifelong learning encourages individuals to think critically, solve problems, and be open to innovative ways to understand and apply information.

Learning how to learn by themselves: Lifelong learning involves taking control of one’s learning journey, reflecting on our learning strengths and weaknesses, making decisions, and monitoring progress.

So, lifelong learning is a continual learning journey that allows us to approach learning with creativity, acquire new knowledge and skills autonomously, and develop metacognitive skills throughout the process.

Lifelong learning benefits

The concept and principle of lifelong learning is closely connected to the idea of democratic education.

According to Jarvis (2007), there are four significant aims of lifelong learning that are derivative of international policy developments: active citizenship, social inclusion, employment-related aspects, and personal fulfillment.

Continuous learning is not only necessary to face the challenges of competitiveness and the use of new technologies, but also to improve social cohesion, equal opportunities, and quality of life.

By allowing individuals to acquire new skills needed in the evolving job market, lifelong learning is a great tool for boosting employment and realizing economic growth, thus improving the standard of living.

In addition, through lifelong learning, personal aspirations can also be fulfilled as individuals feel more active and socially involved.

It can be inferred that as lifelong learning leads to new knowledge; it is the driving force of economic growth. However, its purpose extends beyond simply improving individuals’ adaptability to change, to motivating them to develop personally and professionally and participate actively in instigating and leading successful economic and political transformations.

Lifelong learning skills

Here are the most prominent lifelong learning skills that are essential for individuals to thrive in a knowledge-based society, adapt to change, and pursue ongoing personal and professional development.

# Critical thinking skills

The ability to think critically and make reasoned decisions is critical for the continuous acquisition of knowledge and skills throughout one’s life. Indeed, these skills are the basis for curiosity, inquiry, and meaning-making. To learn more about them, check out this post: Critical Thinking in Education.

# Problem-solving skills

As the world is dramatically changing, there is a need to solve problems and face challenges to survive and thrive. So, defining a problem, designing an appropriate solution, and using it effectively are skills we all need to develop and use in our personal and professional lives.

# Creativity

Creativity serves as the wellspring of novelty, productivity, and fruitful ideas. The ability to think creatively allows individuals to generate new, original concepts, leading to increased productivity and the development of ideas that bring about positive outcomes.

So, developing such skills can contribute to the overall growth and advancement of individuals and societies.

# Social and emotional skills

These skills are essential attributes that contribute to personal, academic, and professional success throughout one’s life. They help in building relationships, communicating effectively, regulating emotions, and collaborating with diverse groups.

So, honing these skills can significantly lead to success and fulfillment in various aspects of life.

How to build lifelong learning skills in students?

Developing students’ lifelong learning skills is a critical aspect of effective education. Here are 3 strategies to foster these skills in students.

1. Be a lifelong learner

To model lifelong learning habits, you need to be a lifelong learner to inspire your students to embark on this learning journey. One cannot give what one does not possess (the Peter Effect).

So, to be successful in fostering a love for learning in students, you must first embody and cultivate its qualities within yourself.

Your passion and curiosity to strive for growth are visible through your attitudes and motivation to streamline.

To this end, to instil lifelong learning habits and develop the skills students need to learn independently, we need to embrace continuous learning (read, reflect, attend PD programmes, and educational conferences, network with other educators, etc.) learn from our mistakes, and others’ feedback and develop resilience against setbacks.

2. Cultivate a growth mindset

Engaging in lifelong learning is a substantial journey that involves self-directed actions, initiative, and the cultivation of resilient attitudes.

It requires a high level of engagement, meticulous planning, and a dedicated commitment to continuous improvement and the pursuit of personal and professional goals throughout the entirety of one’s life.

So, for students to be successful lifelong learners, they need to be intrinsically motivated. Therefore, to increase their engagement in lifelong learning you need to cultivate a growth mindset.

Students should understand that their education does not end once they leave the classroom. Rather, they must focus on improving their skills to attain their personal and professional development throughout their lives.

So, their abilities and intelligence can develop through effort, perseverance, and learning that go beyond schools.

Besides awareness raising of lifelong learning relevance, we need to encourage students to tackle challenges, learn from mistakes and constructive criticism, appreciate the learning journey, and celebrate their achievements.

3. Develop students’ metacognitive skills

To become lifelong learners, students need to develop metacognitive skills that enable them to learn how to learn on their own.

This is because metacognition is key to gaining a deeper understanding of how students learn best, what strategies are effective for them, and how they approach problem-solving.

Therefore, to develop your students’ metacognitive skills, you need to promote an attitude of continual reflection on their learning process.

This is by encouraging them to set SMART goals, monitor and evaluate their progress, reflect continuously on learning experiences, and make informed decisions to further improve.

Further, providing opportunities for students to make choices and share their ideas enhances metacognitive skills as students become more conscious of their thought processes.

To conclude, lifelong learning is essential in today’s dynamic and fast-paced environment. It is not just an educational approach, but also a mindset that empowers individuals to grow personally and professionally.

As educators and lifelong learners, we need to instil a love for learning in our students to equip them with the skills to face the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Because we are shaping not only academic achievements but also the very essence of character and lifelong success.

References

Doukas, C. (2002). Learning cities: region in the framework of lifelong learning. In C. Medel-Añonuevo (Ed.), Integrating lifelong learning perspectives (pp.281-288). Germany: UNESCO Institute for Education.

Jarvis, P. (2007). Globalization, lifelong learning, and the learning society: Sociological perspectives. London: Routledge.

Pieck, E (2002). Lifelong learning and work in developing countries. In C. Medel-Añonuevo (Ed.), Integrating lifelong learning perspectives (pp.113-125). Germany: UNESCO Institute for Education.

Ronai,J.(2002). Citizenship and democracy in Socrates and Grundtvig’s Europe. In. C.Medel- Añonuevo (Ed.). Integrating lifelong learning perspectives (pp.88-101). Germany: UNESCO Institute for Education.