Lifelong Learning in Knowledge Society

Abstract

Education focus is shifting from “teaching” to “learning” today. Faculty roles are changing from lecturing to primarily “designers of learning methods and environments” (Fink 2003). Brookfield (1985) argues that teachers' role is to “facilitate” the acquisition of knowledge, not “transmit” it. NRC (2000) recommends that the goal of education shift from an emphasis on comprehensive coverage of subject matter to helping students develop their own intellectual tools and learning strategies. If you ask most teachers what is the greatest gift that they could give their students, today, most will answer “the desire and skills for lifelong learning.” It's not that it isn't important to learn some facts while in college; these will likely be necessary for future employment, but more important though is having the skill to learn on one's own after leaving college. The chapter revolves around this single, most-important skill which will empower for a lifetime. So, how it should be one of highest priorities especially in knowledge society forms the core of this chapter.