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What are the benefits of Adult Education?

Adult Education is a practice in which adults engage in systematic and sustained self–educating activities in order to gain new forms of knowledge, skills, attitudes, or values. It can mean any form of learning adults engage in beyond traditional schooling, encompassing basic literacy to personal fulfillment as a lifelong learner. In particular, adult education reflects a specific philosophy about learning and teaching based on the assumption that adults can and want to learn, that they are able and willing to take responsibility for that learning, and that the learning itself should respond to their needs. Driven by what one needs or wants to learn, the available opportunities, and the manner in which one learns, adult learning is affected by demographics, globalization and technology. The learning happens in many ways and in many contexts just as all adults' lives differ. Adult learning can be in any of the three contexts, i.e.,

  • Formal:-  Structured learning that typically takes place in an education or training institution, usually with a set curriculum and carries credentials;
  • Non-formal:- Learning that is organized by educational institutions but non credential. Non-formal learning opportunities may be provided in the workplace and through the activities of civil society organizations and groups;
  • Informal:-  Learning that goes on all the time, resulting from daily life activities related to work, family, community or leisure (e.g. community baking class).

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Question added by Farhana Siddique Fari , Coordinator , Coordinator at DFA, Dr Fazeela Abbasi, Advanced Skin, Laser & Hair Institute, Islamabad.
Date Posted: 2016/07/20
Farhana Siddique Fari
by Farhana Siddique Fari , Coordinator , Coordinator at DFA, Dr Fazeela Abbasi, Advanced Skin, Laser & Hair Institute, Islamabad.

The joy of learning doesn’t come to a screeching halt after we leave school or university; we continue to pick up new things every single day, whether it’s ascertaining a mind-blowing fact from a nature documentary or learning how to react to a new situation.

Learning is for life, not just for childhood, and adult education can equip us with the know-how, skills and confidence to advance our career or make life-changing decisions. With flexible learning options readily available including online, distance, workplace and local campus sessions, building on existing knowledge has never been easier as it’s today.

Following is a list of the important benefits of upskilling and continuous learning as an adult:

  1. Personal development:- Seeking to learn new skills and develop new ideas is a process of self-improvement. Learning can not only give us a clearer idea of who we are as a person and where our  interests really lie, but can also add more dimensions to our character and help us reach our full potential.
  2. Professional development:- Our career constitutes an enormous part of our life, so professional development is equally important as personal growth. It’s impossible to learn everything we need to know for our entire working life at the beginning of our career. Learning new skills can bring an outdated skill set into thest century, help secure us a promotion and open up new opportunities that might not have been available to us before.
  3. Confidence Booster:- Learning is empowering. It gives us the chance to discover things we’re good at and expand our skills portfolio, thereby boosting our self-esteem and giving us a sense of pride from our achievements. Learning across our life span can enable us to make well-informed decisions, give us a better idea of what to do with our life and give us  a sense of fulfilment. The social aspect of learning can also drive our confidence through the roof!
  4. Improves Well-being:- It’s no secret that learning can drastically improve our quality of life; picking up new skills and developing new talents can widen our interests, give us a sense of purpose and fulfilment, protect against poor mental health and increase autonomy. Additionally, learning can add to our resume and make us more appealing to employers, which could bring economic benefits in the form of additional income.
  5. Provides networking opportunities:- Upskilling gives us the opportunity to network and build relationships in both a professional and personal capacity. For example, enrolling in a VET qualification will give us contact with experienced consultants in the field and fellow learners with professional interests in a similar capacity. We might even make some new friends!
  6. Boosts Economic Growth:- Adult education helps in making our economy grow and develop faster.
  7. It enables us to support and respect cultural diversity.
  8. It ensures that our children develop a love of learning and take full advantage of education.

Omar Saad Ibrahem Alhamadani
by Omar Saad Ibrahem Alhamadani , Snr. HR & Finance Officer , Sarri Zawetta Company

Thanks

I fully support your answer Mrs. Farhana

People who have an opportunity to continually learn and develop their skills and capacities:

  • Make our economy grow and develop
  • Ensure that their children develop a love of learning and take full advantage of education
  • Actively participate in their own communities and civil society
  • Support and respect people with different cultural beliefs and abilities
  • Respect and protect the environment for future generations
  • Nurture creativity and imagination
  • Live healthy and fulfilled lives

So: Investing in adult education makes sense for individuals, families, communities and our country as a whole.

Thanks.I agree the answer of Ms Farhana

WALID BEN ABDESSALEM
by WALID BEN ABDESSALEM , ICT Teacher , Ministry of Education of Qatar

An educated adult, is a person hwo can interact with the socity on it's own without difficulte.

Being an educated adult, allow him to understand more what's going on in the world.

Educated parents can be very helpful to understand children's needs and interact with their opinons to better guide them and be a part of their life. Childrens with educated parents, are often have more attention to their education and know the value of being well educated for their futur.

SHAHZAD Yaqoob
by SHAHZAD Yaqoob , SENIOR ACCOUNTANT , ABDULLAH H AL SHUWAYER

Image result for benefits of adult education

 

Definition Of Adult EducationAdult education refers to education, course or training programme that is designed for adults and lasts at least six hours. It can also be defined as the provision of instructed learning events for adults who usually act or have acted in working life after earlier terminated or interrupted education within the regular education system.

It is characteristic that adult education is arranged and organised specifically with adults in mind. Differences to education within the regular education system can be such as the time and modes of instruction.

In the Adult Education Survey, adult education is defined on the basis of the organisation providing education and training (educational institution, training organisation or other such training organiser).

Why is Adult Education important?1. People will have an opportunity to continually learn and develop their skills and capacities.2. Make our economy grow and develop.3. Ensure that their children develop a love of learning and take full advantage of education.4. Actively participate in their own communities and civilsociety.5. Support and respect people with different cultural beliefs and abilities.6. Respect and protect the environment for future generations.7. Nurture creativity and imagination.8. Live healthy and fulfilled lives.So Investing in adult education makes sense for individuals, families, communities and our country as a whole.

Advantages of Adult EducationDistance education via computers and the internet have made the distribution of information quicker and more efficient, and provides the flexibility needed to allow adults to continue to work full-time and learn at a self-imposed pace. There are many sources of financial aid offered to adults wishing to go back to school.

People also fear that they are or not qualified for the variety of aids offered to students such as; grants, low interest loans, scholarships, etc. Some don’t know that these aids are given out regardless of credit, GPA or income level, and they miss out. Part-time students can also apply for these aids. Additionally, many companies will offer tuition reimbursement programs for employees wishing to further their education in that respective industry or as stipulated by that company.

Adults starting new or returning to school most often have found within themselves a strengthened desire to succeed. Studies have shown that 80% of adult students graduate as compared to a 50% average graduation rate among the traditional students.

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Adults have a bank of knowledge from life or work experience that can contribute to what they will learn in school. This is a fantastic advantage over their younger peers. Adults also view their professors as peers and are less intimidated by them.

Higher education for the adult is a life changing experience. Most often, adults go to school to further their education in hopes of salary increase, chances for promotion, or they go to school for change, hoping to enter into a better field or pursue a field that they have a deep-rooted passion for.

Disadvantages of Adult EducationFeeling out of place upon returning to school later in life is common. For some high school seniors, the notion of going immediately to college isn’t appealing. However, many people who opt not to go to college out of high school decide later in life that more education can increase pay and career options. These are strong motives, but returning to school later in life does have some challenges.

Students who take the traditional college route often have the advantage of financial and emotional support from family. When you return to school later in life, though, you must often balance education with a job and family responsibilities.

Adult students commonly work full-time jobs during the day and take classes or complete work in the evenings and on weekends. They must also figure out how to work in parenting obligations and balancing responsibilities with a spouse.

Feelings of InadequacyAdult, non-traditional college students are often more motivated to earn a degree than students fresh out of high school, but often they must overcome fear or discomfort in the classroom, according to a July 2011 FOXBusiness article. Adult students are often the minority in college classes. While some seize the opportunity to learn from younger cohorts, others may feel inadequate or uncomfortable learning the same information or skills as traditional-aged students. Getting over this fear or uncertainty quickly is key to success.

Rusty Study HabitsDespite their motivation, adult students often experience a period of rustiness in the classroom and with study habits upon returning to school. When you have been out of the classroom for a number of years, it may take a while to get familiar with the process of listening to instructors, taking notes, participating in group activities, reading assignments and studying for tests. Also, depending on the length of the absence, some students struggle to adapt to new teaching styles and learning methods that have evolved since they previously attended school.

Traditional-Student FocusIn some cases, adult college students are at a disadvantage simply because of the focus of a class or instructor on traditional students. Some schools have programs and courses set up specifically to accommodate non-traditional learners. Online curriculum has grown largely for this purpose. However, adult students may experience courses or assignments designed to serve the particular needs of young adults transitioning from high school to adulthood. Classes in career or employment skills, for instance, are often required in business-related degree programs. Some non-traditional learners find that such classes lack value for adults with established professional careers. However, updated course curriculum can help overcome this issue.

People who have an opportunity to continually learn and develop their skills and capacities:

  • Make our economy grow and develop
  • Ensure that their children develop a love of learning and take full advantage of education
  • Actively participate in their own communities and civil society
  • Support and respect people with different cultural beliefs and abilities
  • Respect and protect the environment for future generations
  • Nurture creativity and imagination
  • Live healthy and fulfilled lives

So: Investing in adult education makes sense for individuals, families, communities and our country as a whole.

 

Yaqoub Alomar
by Yaqoub Alomar , Civil Engineer , Al-Zubeir municipality

Adult Education plays an incredibly important part in the ladder of education in many communities. It has allowed thousands of people the chance to mainstream into the greater culture of academic education and job prosperity. Go support adult education programs in your town, or volunteer to help someone learn to read at a local library! It makes all the difference in many lives.

Ahmed Bakar
by Ahmed Bakar , Customer Service Manager - Order Fulfillment Coordinator, Ecommerce , Al Futtaim Group

future depend on Adult, if they are qualified enoughe by education and market participation they will lead the community for better life in the future

Heavenly J John
by Heavenly J John , Head of the Dealership Operation , Automobile Company

It polishes the person to become better in representing for a cause of everyone.

Awwab Ahmed
by Awwab Ahmed , Web-Developer, Graphic-Designer. , Conobio

• More self-directed, rather than relying on others for help

• Mature and therefore experienced with the experience providing a rich source for learning

• An Adult's readiness to learn is linked to what one needs to know

• Adult orientation to learn is problem centred rather than subject centered

• Adult motivation to learn is internal.

 

Yahia mohamed  Amen Gad
by Yahia mohamed Amen Gad , إدارة - مدرب - , سنابل الأجيال للتعليم والتدريب

Thank you for the invitation professor Farhana / benefits of many adult education and the most important of their integration into the world of intellectuals to be able to face life and wisely / and get out of the cave of ignorance to the sunrise Munawar science / to educate themselves on their own / can contribute to the renaissance of the community.Greetings my professor wonderful

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