PARTICIPATION OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN NON-FORMAL LIFELONG LEARNING PROGRAMS: TYPES OF PROGRAMS, REASONS FOR PARTICIPATION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING OUTCOMES IN THEIR STUDENT, PROFESSIONAL, PERSONAL, AND SOCIAL LIFE

Authors

  • Maria Pavlis-Korres Associate Professor, SEDEd, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v9i2.4142

Keywords:

non-formal education, motives of participation, learning outcomes

Abstract

In the context of lifelong learning, non-formal education programs are increasingly gaining ground, as they both address weaknesses in the formal education system and help learners respond to new demands that arise in the course of their lives. The present study investigates, through a qualitative approach, the participation of 97 students of the Department of Early Childhood Education (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki) in non-formal adult education programs. Our findings indicate that all students do participate in non-formal education programs, selecting the programs mainly related to education that will complement and facilitate their university studies, as well as enhance their formal and substantive qualifications as early childhood educators. In addition, they participate in programs to make creative use of their leisure time, to create and develop their social networks, but also for the joy of learning something new. Regarding the importance of the learning outcomes they acquire, students focus mainly on attitudes and skills, making it clear that in addition to instrumental knowledge, they also anticipate the acquisition of communicative and emancipatory knowledge.

 

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Author Biography

  • Maria Pavlis-Korres, Associate Professor, SEDEd, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
    Maria Pavlis-Korres obtained a university degree in Political Science in Athens. From 1983 until 2018 she worked on Adult Education in the Greek Ministry of Education. Since 2005 her research interests are focused on e-learning and she became a PhD student in the University of Alcalá, Spain. In 2008 she obtained her Advance Studies Degree from the Computer Science Department of the University of Alcalá and in 2010 she obtained her PhD with honors. Since 2012 she is a member of the scientific staff of Hellenic Open University and teaches in "Adult Education" and "Education Science" postgraduate programs. In June 2017 she has been elected Associate Professor in the Pedagogical Sector of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki to teach “Lifelong Learning and non-Formal Education”. She has published several articles, chapters and books on Roma, adult education and e-learning. Her current interests are focused on design, development and evaluation of educational projects for adults, face to face and e-learning, as well as the group dynamics in an online environment and the appropriate use of communication tools in order to promote interaction in an online environment.

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Published

2022-01-29

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2022)

Section

Articles

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