Key Influences Which Have Led To The Need For A Lifelong Learning Agenda In Contemporary Society.

Activity 1.

Discuss the key influences which have led to the need for a lifelong learning agenda in

contemporary society. (200 words)

The lifelong learning has been prioritized because it provide the learners with great and

competent skills and knowledge required for responding the globalization’s unfolding impact.

Continuous learning has been seen as the major factor in making individuals make better

adaptation, and make dealing with the new alterations and challenges in life and workplace

environments (Communiqué, 2012).

The rapidly changing global society and intense globalization have been posing great and vital

challenges in every area of education that also includes lifelong learning. One side provides

economic liberalization

Both societies and economies are highly

influenced by knowledge. Continuous learning and skill improvement are indispensable for

attaining civic responsibility, social cohesion and economic success. Information technology

influences lifelong learning because rapid advancement in technology makes skills obsolete and

requires continuous learning to excel with time (Riddell et al., 2012).

Activity 2.

This activity is based on the chapter ‘Lifelong Learning’ by John Field, in Aukrust V. (ed.)

(2011) Learning and cognition in education. Oxford: Elsevier. This publication is available

on Blackboard; the chapter ‘Lifelong Learning’ is on pages 247-253.

Fields states (p.247): ‘it is economic concerns that dominate policymakers’ interest in lifelong

It is

quite reflective that the United Nations Educational, Social and Cultural Organization

(UNESCO), Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World

Bank, the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the European Commission (EC) all

support and have policies for lifelong learning and education for the people to make them be a

part of economic survival of their nation from being a social optimistic individual (Field, 2011).

It has been stated that lifelong education promoted the individuality and well being through

earning improvement and social mobility and they further contribute to national economic

growth. Education is linked with good individual mental health, political tolerance and security

from crime (Blaschke, 2012).

Another argument is that sustainable competitive advantage comes from continuous innovation

that needs workforce flexibility and skills and innovation is the base of economic growth.