This is how important continuing education really is
European study shows benefits of lifelong learning
Krems (kpr.) The EU-project “Benefits of lifelong learning” (BeLL) collected data
on the benefits of continuing education in Europe for the first time. The survey,
with participation of Monika Kil of Danube University Krems, provides valuable
foundations in the continuing education research sector. Over 8,500
respondents from ten countries show that, besides the acquisition of knowledge,
continuing education contributes to personal vitality, social inclusion, openness
and tolerance.
The so-called “Benefit-research”, in search of the benefits of continuing education, is
established in Great Britain and Finland. In other European countries, however, this
approach was still widely unknown. The EU-project “BeLL” has closed this gap in
research and for the first time collected data all over Europe on experienced and
verifiable benefits of adult education.
Good for society
Within two years, 8,646 questionnaires and 82 interviews from Spain, England,
Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Finland, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovenia and Serbia
were collected and analysed. The result: persons taking advantage of continuing
education benefit considerably in all sectors of life. Whoever participates in continuing
education, feels healthier, stays active for longer, is more confident in life, builds
sustainable social networks and develops perspectives at and for old age. “We know
now that continuing education as self-determined and lifelong learning can enormously
benefit the individual, but also that the positive personal development has impacts on
the overall environment and thus onto society”, says educational researcher Professor
Dr Monika Kil of Danube University Krems.
Concerns all sectors of life
BeLL identified three benefit sectors among the respondents aged 15 to 92 years in
particular. The high rate of women willing to learn is striking at 71 percent. The majority
of all respondents have a higher level of education and are firmly established in their
careers or retired. Personal development is one of the three big benefits of continuing
education. Learners discovered changes in the field of self-efficacy and in connection
with the question of the purpose of life. This means participants in organised continuing
education feel better equipped to face the demands and challenges in life. Secondly,
the learners noticed changes in their social (learning) behaviour: tolerance, social
engagement and the general readiness
to learn and change increase. In the third sector, the positive changes with regards to
family, job, mental wellness and health were pooled.
Organisation contributes considerably
In order for lifelong learning to succeed, certain conditions must be met. An additional
analysis of over 4,000 comments showed that learners attribute their success to a
considerable degree to the organisation and those working in continuing education.
Therefore, motivation to learn, didactic support, clearly defined goals and transparent
communication are central for the success of lifelong learning from the organisation’s
point of view. “BeLL” provides an important foundation, not just for future evidencebased research into continuing education, but also for the agenda of European
educational policy”, Kil emphasises.
Responsible for the project
Professor Dr Monika Kil, Vice-Rector for Academic Teaching / Scientific Continuing
Education and Professor for Continuing Education Research and Educational
Management at Danube University Krems, was responsible for the application and
management of project “BeLL” as Department Head at the research and development
center at the German Institute for Adult Education in Leibniz – Center for Lifelong
Learning (Deutsches Institut für Erwachsenenbildung, DIE) in Bonn. After her move to
Danube University Krems at the beginning of 2013, she worked with the project
consortium in a consulting role, in particular with the coordinators Dr Marion Fleige and
Dr Bettina Thöne –Geyer of the Institute in Bonn and with Professor Dr Jyri Manninen
of the University of Eastern Finland in Joensuu.
The project in short
Title: BeLL – Benefits of lifelong learning
Project type: Lifelong Learning Programme
Public funding: European Commission
Project coordination: Deutsches Institut für Erwachsenenbildung Leibniz-Zentrum für
Lebenslanges Lernen (DIE)
Project duration: November 2011- January 2014
www.bell-project.eu
Department for Continuing Education Research and Educational Management
www.donau-uni.ac.at/wbbm
(17 March 2014)
Contact
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Monika Kil
Department für Continuing Education Research and Educational Management
Danube University Krems
Tel. +43 (0)2732 893-2260
monika.kil@donau-uni.ac.at
www.donau-uni.ac.at