GOOD PRACTICE EXAMPLES FOR NEW APPROACH OF ADULT EDUCATION
ADULT EDUCATION METHODS AND TOOLS - DOWNLOAD PDF
METHODS AND TOOLS IN SENIORS EDUCATION:
Methods
and forms for conducting educational and training activities with seniors
Senior education activities should stimulate personal growth, make it easier for adults to adapt to internal and external changes for the rest of their lives. Adult learning can be regarded as life-promoting where it meets the following criteria:
1. Stimulates skills development and positive self-assessment
2. Helps reduce fears, prejudices, illusions and stimulates critical thinking about stereotypes, cultural myths, and prejudice
3. Stimulates creativity
4. Helps the individual to focus on his/her personal goals
5. Helps the individual to become more tolerant, generous, sensitive, caring and understanding
6. Provides access to greater opportunities
7. Brings man closer to revealing his full potential
8. It contributed to reviving positive cultural ideals and traditions (Boggs, D. L. (1981).
Senior education should be seen as closely linked to the dimensions of quality of life, namely:
In this line of thinking, all training and educational activities aimed at elderly should be consistent with what has been said above.
The directions worked on in senior education, both in Bulgaria and in other EU countries, are:
Here are some of the courses that take place in the local clubs of the pensioner, which are the main structures for organized work with seniors. These are in almost every settlement in Bulgaria, they are supported resourcely (financially, materially and expertly) by the local authorities (towns and municipalities), but they act as self-governing organisations, in which members decide on their own activities, including in the field of training and education. This means that before any initiative is realised, the opinion of the stakeholders must be examined.
One of the main directions in the work of these clubs is related to music and dance art. The activities include the organisation of folklore groups for authentic folk songs and dances. The participants in these groups rehearse periodically, under the guidance of qualified musicians, and the prepared production is presented on regional, national and sometimes international scenes, usually in various festivals. Very often these performances are part of restored traditional for the region and country celebrations, customs, etc. The preparation for them combines musical dance activities with study, historical and ethnographic ones.
In addition, various training activities are organised within the clubs in different directions, such as:
Working with Information and Communication Technologies. Knowledge and skills in this area contribute significantly to the increased quality of life of elderly people. In this line of thought, it is essential for this social group that the forms of ICT education are in face-to-face, because this, in addition to achieving educational objectives, contributes to a more effective stimulation of social cohesion. Joint courses involving not only elderly people, but also people from other generations are very effective. This gives seniors additional motivation to keep pace with younger generations, and the acquired knowledge and skills help them to develop their communication skills with physically remote members of their families, develop their technical communication skills using different devices (computers, tablets, mobile phones), applications and programs. New knowledge and skills are also the basis for new opportunities for social networking.
Financial literacy. Nowadays seniors have to manage their money in a new way and sometimes make rather complex financial decisions. The methods used are lectures and talks, dedicated to the ways of working with ATMs, POS devices and e-banking, online shopping, the possibilities for fraud in financial transactions with electronic devices and e-banking, orientation on the specifics of banking services, fees, interest rates, etc. For this kind of consultations we have to attract experts who are currently active in the banking and financial sector, including accountants, tax advisors, bank experts, etc., but also people from the target group who have worked in this field in the past and have expertise.
Health literacy, which is of great importance to all people, but is particularly important for seniors. Lectures, talks and demonstrations in this area of literacy include the overall understanding of healthy lifestyles, diets, exercise, specific medical issues and diseases, etc. These knowledge and skills are critical for maintaining independence and autonomy, as well as in making important health-related choices.
METHODS AND EDUCATIONAL TOOLS INTRODUCED TO THE PROJECT PARTICIPANTS
ART WORKSHOPS IN MUSEUM FOR SENIORS
to teach how to find perspective in paintings, workshop with educator
with mrs. Barbara Łepkowska, Krakow, Poland
WHAT?
Photo art workshop in the field of creating and seeing compositions on the example of principles used in photography and painting. The workshop takes place in the gallery / museum of painting. The introduction to the workshop is the presentation of contemporary compositions used in photography and possible to be used by elderly people in everyday photos made with a smartphone and posted in social media.
TARGET GROUP
Tested by 12 educators and leaders for adult education. The method was tested and used initially by young people, and an innovation is the use of this method with older people, who find it easier to grasp the principles of photography based on traditional, painted images. The method works well with older people, who are given guidance on perspective and produce better quality photographs using their smartphones.
OBJECTIVES
1. Learning how to view, see and understand works of art of presented century in the context of the methods of framing used in photography;
2. Values enhancement- through contact with art, shaping socio-moral sensitivity, social responsibility, respect for historical knowledge, aesthetics and beauty,
3. Behaviour shaping- developing skills of creative perception and expression, preparation for creating good technical photographs based on known canons used by masters of composition,
4. Expression of the needs- through artistic education, photographic and artistic composition workshops, development of modern, responsible forms of expression, understanding and vision of the world.
INTERACTION AND PARTICIPATION
The program of the workshop is interactive and the leader of the workshop need to use interactive methods like: discussion based on problem analyses, common investigation, heuristic talk, work in pairs, presentation of sketches, learning through a puzzle and reading codes. All participant of the workshop need to be involved in the learning process. After the workshop, participants can voluntary involve in social work of their organisations by present in social media chosen aspect of the social work, project, event.
General information
The workshop was initially a form of work with youth, preferably in age groups from 15-18 years and 18-30 years and was implemented for various stages of youth work. The method was used so that young people, through the use of new technologies, became interested in art and culture and discovered the relationship between images and photography. The opposite is true for older people: they know, understand and interpret art better, but they find it more difficult to use new digital tools, to use new technologies (e.g. the smartphone and social media) to create and promote quality art.
Important advices
Find good leader of such workshop- experienced in art education,
Choose place of the workshop- museum, gallery, church, historical object, building presented pieces of art, it can be also privet gallery or private collection if you have good contact with the owner,
Create link between the goal of the workshop and the goal of your organization,
Prepare educational materials like presentation of photo infographic, which will help to reach educational goals of the workshop,
Use interactive methods of learning, focused on interaction and participation
Create list contacts between participants and peers network, it will help you to build background for other of your activities,
Ask participants of the workshop if they can make photos based on new skills promoting your organization, projects, event in social media!
------------------------------------
FOLK MUSIC GROUP FOR SENIORS
In Dobrich, Bulgaria
for the preservation of local tradition, the integration of ensemble members and sensitisation to music
WHAT?
Folk music group - singing traditional music from the Dobrich region in Bulgaria. The members/participants of the group meet regularly, practice local songs, take care of traditional costumes and regularly perform at music reviews and festivals. New people join the group regularly.
TARGET GROUP
Participants of the group are 15 people aged 60+ interested in tradition, culture and music. A similar group can be formed in any place, performing any music.
OBJECTIVES
INTERACTION AND PARTICIPATION
The activity of the music group is based on interactive participation, each participant has an influence on the final repertoire, the participants discuss and prepare the performance together. All members of the group have to be involved in the process of repertoire development. Participants gain self-confidence during the performances, they learn to be systematic, regular and to perform in public. They interact with their environment. They interact with the local environment in which they perform, promote the memory of local traditions and set an example of commitment to others.
IMPORTANT ADVICES
Find a good workshop leader experienced in arts education;
choose a suitable performance venue that relates to the local tradition and that has a suitable auditorium;
if possible, send the group to festivals and art reviews, to participate in conventions of organizations, senior citizen groups from the region - to integrate them into the local community, to become motivated to further activities and to develop their creativity
---------------------
ENGLISH COURSES FOR SENIORS
As part of activities offered by the University of the 3. Age
English course for seniors are leaded by teacher Mateja Pihlar from Andragoski Zavod Maribor – Ljudska Universita
demonstrated different techniques in teaching foreign languages to seniors
WHAT?
Language course – English for seniors; Language activities offered as one of the workshop on the University of the 3. Age in Maribor, Slovenia.
Classes are held twice a week and are conducted in an interactive way using new technologies - participants use smartphones, the internet and applications to facilitate memorization. In order to increase motivation, participants take part in online lessons with older people from other countries who are also learning English
TARGET GROUP
Participants of the group are maximum 10 persons aged 60+ who wants to learn foreign language, develop theist skills and train the memory. Workshops are offered in small groups of elderly people; seniors are in similar age, and on the same language level;
OBJECTIVES
Regular meetings to maintain the continuity of the education and to keep the participants motivated
To introduce interactive working methods and incorporate ICT tools to facilitate learning and to show students the opportunities of English language teaching/learning
Work with a senior group from another country to increase motivation and interest in other cultures
INTERACTION AND PARTICIPATION
The activity of the group is based on interactive participation, each participant is an important link of the group, exercises are done in groups or pairs, learning is based on practical exercises, its aim is to achieve communication of the course participants
IMPORTANT ADVICES
Find a good lector, open for the needs of elderly people and using method dedicated to the age
Motivate participants by showing them movies or music in English, or by organisation of meetings with elderly people from another countries, which are also speaking English
if possible send participants to language competitions - this will increase their motivation to learn
--------------------------
HERBS KNOWLEDGE FOR SENIORS – DEDICATED WORKSHOPS
herbalist Poljanka Gros, actively works with seniors and organizes for them various workshops dedicated to the herbs knowledge, incl. recognition of herbs and their uses in the culinary, cosmetics and the arts
WHAT?
Herbs knowledge course – including theoretical knowledge about recognition of herbs and their uses in the culinary, cosmetics and the arts.
TARGET GROUP
Seniors – group of 6-10 persons - interested in the topic and willing to use the knowledge and skills in personal life or during preparation of the events in local community;
OBJECTIVES
The workshop can be organise once or on regular basement – dedicated to several herbs, or divided by topics ( Herbs in the kitchen, herbs in the bathroom, herbs in the garden etc.)
Connect the workshop and presented knowledge with presentation of ICT technology connected with: find an smartphone application for identifying herbs and plants
INTERACTION AND PARTICIPATION
The activity of the group is based on interactive participation, the first theoretical part helps to understand the potential of herbs and possibilities to use them in many ways. The practical part includes workshops and preparation of soap with herbs, cosmetics and culinary dishes + degustation
IMPORTANT ADVICES
Find a good lector, with knowledge and experience in the field, open for the needs of elderly people and using method dedicated to the age of the group
Find a good space to develop the workshop: herbal shop, old soap factory
Prepare interesting herbs and materials for the practical part of the workshop
Android for seniors
with Katja Horvat, Maribor, Slovenia
WHAT?
Seniors learn how to use their smart phones and learn about the functions that help or support them in everyday situations.
TARGET GROUP
Target group constitutes of seniors of different ages from the Maribor Municipality.
OBJECTIVES
1. Learning about using and safety of smart phones
2. Learning about WiFi settings
3. Learning about installing and using applications
4. Learning about ICT communication (e-mails, chats, videoconferences)
5. Searching and evaluating information obtained on-line
6. Learning about social networks, copyright, privacy
INTERACTION AND PARTICIPATION
Learning about smart phones is based on explanation, demonstration and learning by doing. Participants are asked and motivated to ask questions and to repeat what they learn on their mobile devices immediately.
General information
Seniors learn in smaller groups in classrooms. They meet once per week for 3 school hours (135 minutes with breaks).
Important advice
Learning process needs to be adapted to the seniors’ needs: learning tempo, time dedicated to questions and answers, repetitions if necessary.
Seniors are also encouraged to help each other and use what they learned at home.
Sometimes they are afraid of ICT technology and the teacher need to consider this.
It is advisable that two teachers are present so that one of them can provide individual assistance when needed.
English language course for seniors
with Mateja Pihlar, Maribor, Slovenia
WHAT?
English learning course for seniors teaches senior skills to understand and communicate in English, to explore cultural aspects of English speaking countries and to explore English literature.
TARGET GROUP
Target group constitutes of seniors of different ages (some approaching their 90s) from the local community.
OBJECTIVES
1. Learning about English grammar and vocabulary;
2. Practising conversational skills in English;
3. Reading and discussing pieces of English literature, articles, films and documentaries
4. Exploring points of interest related to English language, English speaking people and countries
INTERACTION AND PARTICIPATION
Although seniors prefer classic teaching methods they are constantly encouraged to actively contribute to the learning process, suggest learning topics, to interact and perform their task either in pairs or groups.
In the classroom or at home for practice they watch YouTube videos for listening comprehension. These videos are either part of the Student book set or are related to the topic they are learning about.
When exploring English speaking places they use internet resource and virtual maps, for example.
General information
Seniors learn in smaller groups in classrooms. They use students’ books with the appropriate difficulty level. However, the teacher uses extra materials in paper and virtual forms.
They meet once per week for 90 minutes. The duration of the class can vary from 40 to 60 hours.
Important advice
The relationship between a teacher and the students is extremely important. They need teachers they can connect with on a personal level.
Also the relationship within the group is very important. The socialising aspect goes hand in hand with learning.
Learning environment and materials need to be adjusted to seniors’ needs and capabilities (lighting, size of print, talking speed and volume...).
Process of learning is more important to them that academic achievement. They welcome repetition.
Dance
presented during the event Blended Mobility - in Štiavnické Bane, in Slovakia (July 2020).
training of various choreographies during the meeting was led by a professional dancer - Master of Dance in the senior category Karol Zaťko and former president of Kolping Society
The importance of dance as a tool and method of working with seniors:
With increasing years, about 40% memory loss, for example, and problems such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease may be associated.
According to research published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, the researchers examined magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images of the brain to find an association between age and degenerative brain diseases.
Conclusion: dance is a very important tool in the education of seniors, because it not only helps to improve health and function but also stimulates and strengthens brain activity. We recommend that this method be regularly included in the educational process by senior staff and lecturers who work with seniors.
The importance of IT in manufacturing
Some seniors master the basics of using a PC or smartphone, but many do not have a good idea of the use of IT in manufacturing or other industries. As part of the Blended Mobility event, seniors led by young designers and technical staff were introduced to the use of IT and PC programs in designing and visualisation of products to prototyping.
subsequently, the interconnection of these programs and tools in setting up and tracing production machines (CNC milling Laser cut, FDM 3D print Vacuum casting)
In this way, seniors saw the whole production process from a product design to its final production on a simple example. They took the resulting products as material for other creative activities - plywood painting under the guidance of professional painters.
Methods:
- visit to a specific production process in which IT is widely used, associated with interpretation, presentation of the company's activities and subsequent discussion, answers to seniors' questions
- support of imagination and creativity based on practical examples of the use of IT in production and everyday life
- subsequent use of a product made using IT for other creative activities of seniors
Conclusion: Practical demonstrations of using IT with the possibility of visiting a specific production process are an important moment to realize the importance of IT in everyday life. We recommend this method to senior staff and lecturers who work with seniors and to include such practical methods in the educational process.
HERBS KNOWLEDGE FOR SENIORS – DEDICATED WORKSHOPS
herbalist Poljanka Gros, actively works with seniors and organizes for them various workshops dedicated to the herbs knowledge, incl. recognition of herbs and their uses in the culinary, cosmetics and the arts
WHAT?
Herbs knowledge course – including theoretical knowledge about recognition of herbs and their uses in the culinary, cosmetics and the arts.
TARGET GROUP
Seniors – group of 6-10 persons - interested in the topic and willing to use the knowledge and skills in personal life or during preparation of the events in local community;
OBJECTIVES
The workshop can be organise once or on regular basement – dedicated to several herbs, or divided by topics ( Herbs in the kitchen, herbs in the bathroom, herbs in the garden etc.)
Connect the workshop and presented knowledge with presentation of ICT technology connected with: find an smartphone application for identifying herbs and plants
INTERACTION AND PARTICIPATION
The activity of the group is based on interactive participation, the first theoretical part helps to understand the potential of herbs and possibilities to use them in many ways. The practical part includes workshops and preparation of soap with herbs, cosmetics and culinary dishes + degustation
IMPORTANT ADVICES
Find a good lector, with knowledge and experience in the field, open for the needs of elderly people and using method dedicated to the age of the group
Find a good space to develop the workshop: herbal shop, old soap factory
Prepare interesting herbs and materials for the practical part of the workshop
