By Chinecherem Veronica 

Life-long learning is a form of self-initiated education focused on personal development. Over the years, education has evolved as much as the world has. The forms of education practised in the past have developed better approaches. Lifelong learning is a learning approach that prioritizes the ‘person’. It is a self-motivated and voluntary approach to any form of education undertaken by an individual to achieve personal fulfilment or professional development. Examples are: learning a new skill, language sports activity, online classes and the use of technology.

The discussion around lifelong learning usually centres on adult education and sometimes, informal education. This can be traced to the lack of an authority-backed definition of the subject because it traverses different disciplines and is focused on personal convictions. Lifelong learning is the acquisition and update of different abilities, knowledge and qualifications from pre-school years to post-retirement. This promotes the development of knowledge and competence for personal or professional success. The distinguishing factor is marked by its nature as a learning approach beyond the school.

Lifelong learning has always been a crucial part of individual life as people have different interests. Most importantly, it encompasses all learning modalities to have three distinct forms:

1. Formal/Institutionalized learning: This is a form of lifelong learning that is undertaken in an institution where recognized certification is awarded to individuals on the completion of their learning.

2. Non-formal/Institutionalized learning: This is a form of lifelong learning complementary to formal learning. It is undertaken in an institution, but there is no certification on the completion of the study.

3. Informal/Non-institutionalised learning: This is a form of lifelong learning that is not taken in an institution. It is self-directed and sometimes, family/community/socially directed.

The benefits of lifelong learning cannot be overemphasized. Because lifelong learning is self-motivated, the result is always the betterment of the individual. These benefits include:

1. Personal growth and fulfilment: When individuals achieve their goal in life-long learning, they become better at what they do and have a sense of fulfilment.

2. Career advancement: Lifelong learning in an institutionalized form can help individuals acquire certain skills and certifications to progress in their careers. Example: acquisition of soft skills.

3. Improved cognitive function: All forms of lifelong learning help improve problem-solving abilities, memory, etc in people. Example: language learning.

3. Improved self-confidence: People who achieve the goal they look for while undertaking this learning approach have an elevated confidence especially when the skill or course has improved their abilities and performance. Examples: swimming and coding.

4. Recognition of personal interests and goals: To choose a path in lifelong learning, individuals become introspective, enabling them to identify their interests.

5. Adaptability and resilience: When individuals sign up for a course or skill, they usually have to adapt to the requirements for excelling in their chosen course. For an individual to succeed in whatever area they choose, they become resilient and the skills gathered during the course aid them to cross over life hurdles.

A practical example of the benefits of lifelong learning among individuals is Nneka Esther Nnanna, a polyglot in Korean, French and Spanish languages. In an interview with Document Women, Nneka traces her passion for learning the Korean Language to her love for the renowned Korean actor, Lee Min Ho. In 2017, she started learning the Korean language and interacting with Koreans across social media platforms. This passion landed her her first Korean job as a Korean Interpreter for the Korean Broadcasting System at Kona Bio, a Korean consultancy/distribution company in Nigeria. She also learned strategic social media positioning while undertaking courses in Data Analysis. Currently, Nneka works as a Research Analyst with a Korean Government Agency. She is a Learning Coach for French and Spanish Languages while being an influencer for Korean Skincare products.

The benefits of lifelong learning can not be overemphasized. To adopt Lifelong learning, one must follow these hacks:

1. Identify personal interests or goals.

2. Create an order of preference of what you wish to learn or can do.

3. Identify available resources.

4. Structure the learning goal to fit your life.

5. Be committed to achieving your goal.

In conclusion, commitment and self-motivation are factors that will always distinguish a successful or unsuccessful adoption of lifelong learning.

References

valamis.com

researchgate.net

documentwomen.org

Photo Credits

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documentwomen.org