Month: July 2018

Time for an Adult Ed “Revolution?”

More than 60 years ago,  prime minister Winston Churchill said: “There is, perhaps, no branch of our vast education system which should attract within its particular sphere the aid and encouragement of the state than adult education.”

“Adult education must not be regarded as a luxury for a few exceptional persons here and there,” it stated. “[It] is a permanent national necessity, an inseparable aspect of citizenship … therefore should be both universal and lifelong … The opportunity for adult education should be spread uniformly and systematically over the whole community.”

This is happening in the United Kingdom. Harbinger for U.S.?

Again?

https://www.tes.com/news/adult-education-needs-revolution

Lifelong learning key to success

Online learning has enabled ambitious professionals to undertake a Master of Business Administration (MBA) while keeping the momentum of their career on track.

There are many MBA programs available for prospective students, Business Insider spoke to recent Victoria University graduate, Larissa Beech, to find out what you need to know about completing an MBA.

Read more at https://www.businessinsider.com.au/lifelong-learning-is-the-key-to-success-heres-why-2018-7#O0CfrSU0t5rghp9G.99

Black history museum to develop community ed programs

by Noah Johnson, NET News
The Great Plains Black History Museum in Omaha is rolling out over 20 free educational programs with the help of a $17,000 grant awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

With the help of local history professors from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Metro Community College, along with archived records, the museum will develop 24 programs discussing a number of topics ranging from the history of African American music in the Omaha community to the involvement of African Americans in the settlement of the Great Plains.

http://netnebraska.org/article/news/1137721/great-plains-black-history-museum-receives-grant-develop-community-education

Booming business highlights growing skills gap

With the current booming economy, there is also a growing “skills gap” as companies search for trained talent to fill the jobs.

Is this an opportunity for lifelong learning programs to re-enter the picture in the U.S.? Industry thinks so. They will be “investing $100 million to expand employee training and educational opportunities to help workers upgrade their skills. Of this investment $5 million will go directly to vocational and trade programs – those typically forgotten in discussions about developing a 21st century workforce.”

Read more in a Fox News story: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2018/07/19/must-close-skills-gap-to-secure-our-future.html

Purpose of Education: Workforce or Learning?

Since its inception, many have argued to get rid of the U.S. Department of Education. In Texas, m

Many community educators remember when Adult Ed was pulled between the Texas Education Agency and Workforce Development. The same battle is happening at the federal level, with the announcement last week proposing to merge the Department of Education with the Department of Labor.

Where does Lifelong Learning belong?

This article in Education Week explores the question: http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/edtechresearcher/2018/06/the_purpose_of_education_workforce_development_or_lifelong_learning.html

99-year-old woman still learning

A Bridgetown area woman who waited more than 80 years to receive her high school diploma had her ‘bucket list’ wish granted June 28 at the Bridgetown Regional Community School – to a standing ovation.

Walking with a cane, and helped to the stage by her grandson, Hazel Johnson received her honourary school-leaving certificate to roaring applause from her 58 fellow graduates and the folks in a standing-room-only gymnasium.

Read full story here: http://www.digbycourier.ca/living/99-year-old-graduate-annapolis-valley-woman-still-learning-after-she-was-denied-education-over-the-price-of-books-in-the-1930s-222629/