THE IMPORTANCE OF LIFELONG LEARNING IN OUR SOCIETY

Abstract

I wish we didn’t so exclusively connect the concept of learning with formal education and going to school or being a (college) student. Because learning actually happens everywhere, all the time. At school learning is just more focused and targeted to meet the standards or performance measures of the course. Lifelong learning is so important in these times when there is more information available in our fingertips than ever before! Unfortunately many students are schooled out of their minds with too tight performance measures and learning objectives that leave very little or no space for wondering and creativity. How can we help students to become interested in learning, not just expecting to be schooled or pass a test? How to help more students to become lifelong learners? One way is to equip students with the skills to self-regulate their learning. Helping students to think about their learning (tasks) and how they relate to a bigger picture, focus on their own thinking and learning while engaging in the task, and self-evaluate their learning?