Lifelong learning
Preparing students to be lifelong learners is an important function of a university education. What constitutes 'lifelong learning' is described in general terms in the generic indicators associated with Graduate Quality number 2 which recognises that we live in a world where change is constant and rapid. As a student you are preparing for a future which is largely unknown. The knowledge and skills gained through study at the University of South Australia will be essential as graduates begin their professional life, but will not be sufficient throughout all their professional life. After students graduate, they will need to continue to develop their professional knowledge and related work practices because the demands on them will continually change. Lifelong learning is about developing a range of skills – being able to identify problems and ways of tackling them and to find and use information effectively. It is also about understanding and extending ways of learning to gain and apply new knowledge and skills.
University of South Australia resources
- QILLL (Quality information for lifelong learning) is a database designed to provide information literacy resources and best practice examples of strategies for embedding the characteristics of a lifelong learner into curriculum development and creating lifelong learning opportunities for students. Please explore the QUILLL database and email comments or suggestions to Learning and Teaching Unit.
- 'Information literacy—an institution-wide strategy' (PDF 46kb - download Adobe Acrobat) paper written by Rigmor George, Holly McCausland, Dale Wache and Irene Doskatsch.
The framework proposed in this document is based on a relatively simple statement of characteristics of a lifelong learner. The statement is derived from information literacy and lifelong learning literatures and situated within an overarching teaching and learning strategy which focuses on graduate outcomes as an organising principle for activities across the University of South Australia. - The online environment at UniSA provides resources to assist in the development of information technology literacy specifically in the UniSA online environment.
Additional resources
- Lifelong Learning
This site provides a comprehensive overview of Lifelong Learning. The site suggests that it is the leading website for the encouragement, promotion and development of lifelong learning. The Lifelong Learning site is supported by the Access to Learning for Adults Division of the UK Department for Education and Skills. - Adult Learning Australia
This site provides a range of resources relating to lifelong learning. Of particular interest is the range of Australian and International resources on Lifelong Learning. -
OECD Statements on
Higher Education and Lifelong Learning
These OECD documents provides some valuable background information about Lifelong Learning and Higher Education. Documents provides a clear rationale for Lifelong Learning and emphasises its importance as a global concept, and also the significance of qualifications and educational institutions.