Opinion
Columns and essays in ELM Magazine approach current issues from personal and engaging perspectives.
Continuing Education? No thanks!
Resistance to continuing education is a reasonable, meaningful, legitimate defence against the imposition of the endless learning efforts adults are confronted with. The text is a column written for Speakers’ Corner series.
Lack of understandable economics widens existing inequalities
Digital and financial literacy are widely accepted as fundamental skills for everybody. Why not add economic literacy to that list? The text is a column written for issue 3/2020 on Adult Education and Numeracy & Finance.
Tackling under-representation in economics
Economists wield significant influence over the ideas and policies determining how our lives and our societies will change. To benefit all of society, economics must aim for more diversity. The text is an essay written for issue 3/2020 on Adult Education and Numeracy & Finance.
Adult education and the cruel optimism of the technological solutionism
It is clear that moving to online teaching is not the miracle cure that many make it out to be, Maren Elfert writes. Cruel optimism builds visions for a future that are likely to become reality only for a privileged few. The text is a column written for Speakers’ Corner series.
Adult education for people with disabilities: How do you access the inaccessible?
Despite improvements in inclusive education in the compulsory and higher education sectors in the Republic of Ireland, participation by people with disabilities in adult education remains stubbornly low, writes Lisa Maria Reilly in her column.
Adapting to the new normal: The education system in times of crisis
Sometimes systems require a crisis to transform. Adult education must be flexible and adapt quickly to changes and challenges facing us as society, writes Sabine Verheyen, Chair of committee on Culture and Education In European Parliament. The text is a column written for issue 2/2020 on Adult Education and the Unexpected.
Learning freedom in self-isolation
COVID-19 is exposing gaps in infrastructure and is challenging our collective social systems. In Serbia, the situation has highlighted the consequences of the marketisation of adult education, writes Maja Maksimović. The text is a column published in the Speakers' Corner series.
Corona Crisis in Finland: A great leap into virtual adult learning?
The sudden shutdown of the adult education sector has forced institutions to quickly renew their thinking. In Finland, Lauri Tuomi witnessed how piano lessons and Spanish courses were moved online in only a matter of days. The text is a column published in the Speakers' Corner series.
Participation in adult education and the pandemic: Who is missing out?
Low-skilled and low-paid adults are providing essential services and known as key workers during the current pandemic. Will they have better chances for personal and career-related development in the future?, asks Professor Ellen Boeren from the UK. The text is a column published in the Speakers' Corner series.
Senior citizens need learning to facilitate their daily life
Senior citizens can no longer just rely on digital experts at their work place, but have to learn to adopt new technologies by themselves. It is the duty of society to offer systematic and professional digital training based on senior pedagogy in order to facilitate daily life, writes Pirkko Ruuskanen-Parrukoski. The text is a column written for issue 1/2020 Adult Education and Mature Learners.
