The aim of this study is to examine lifelong learning programs and study groups offered at senior welfare centers, which serve a leading role in delivering continuous education in the aging society; to validate the hypothesis that lifelong learning co...
The aim of this study is to examine lifelong learning programs and study groups offered at senior welfare centers, which serve a leading role in delivering continuous education in the aging society; to validate the hypothesis that lifelong learning courses run concomitantly with study groups are particularly effective for advancing the goal of successful aging; and to propose ways to improve lifelong education programs for senior citizens.
To verify the hypothesis, a survey was conducted on members of lifelong education programs at two senior welfare centers located in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, Korea. The key findings of the survey are as follows:
78.8% of learners at the welfare centers recognized the need for study groups, while the rate was higher at 99% among those who had actual experience participating in the study groups. A scarcity of available time, insufficient knowledge and information about the groups being offered, and a lack of groups in line with the interests or needs of the respondents were cited in similarly high rates as factors precluding some of the people polled from being involved in study group activities. The study also found that, out of four commonly accepted components of successful aging, involvement in study groups had a significant impact on all of them, barring active engagement with life.
The results of the study support the view that continuous education programs exert significant influence on successful aging and tend to create great synergy when operated in tandem with study groups. Therefore, this study suggests the following ways to enhance programs for lifelong education in order to most effectively serve the elderly by promoting successful aging:
Firstly, experts and instructors working with seniors at educational institutions should make the most of a variety of support systems available to promote and expand study group activities in their institutions. Secondly, there needs to be full support for follow-up studies on study groups as crucial components of successful continual learning for the elderly. Drawing on these studies, there should be a systematic offering of study groups in a wide range of areas. Strategic promotional efforts should also be enacted to induce engagement among the seniors. Thirdly, in consideration of the special needs of the senior population, an appropriate level of guidance from instructors or other experts should be provided up to the stage at which members of the groups are able to lead group activities in an independent and effective manner. Fourthly, systematic support from relevant organizations or bodies and integrated infrastructure are required to make it easier for senior learning facilities managed by religious and private organizations as well as senior welfare centers to incorporate study groups into their programs and foster the engagement of their members with those groups in the long term. Finally, policies specifically designed to reduce the financial burden on seniors engaging in study or other groups as part of their continuous learning experience should be developed at the government level.
It has been established by multiple studies that lifelong education programs affect successful aging significantly. This study sought to examine the hypothesis that study groups for seniors can have the effect of maximizing the impact of lifelong learning programs, with a view to exploring different ways to enhance how those groups are operated in the field. Ultimately, the author is confident that the results of this study will help to establish a useful direction for the creation and operation of senior study groups by religious and private organizations as well as welfare centers, recommending that study groups be actively adopted as part of learning programs offered by senior welfare institutions.