Lifelong Learning: A Review

Abstract

“Lifelong learning” has become a popular topic over the past several years. A Google search of the term “lifelong learning” resulted in 11,000,000 hits. There have been thousands of papers on lifelong learning published in recent years and there are several journals devoted either entirely or in part on lifelong learning (Fischer, 2000). Learning can no longer be dichotomized into a place and time to acquire knowledge (school) and a place and time to apply knowledge (the workplace). Today’s citizens are flooded with more information than they can handle, and tomorrow’s workers will need to know far more than any individual can retain (Bosco, 2007).Our world is changing around us in such a frantic pace that if we do not continue to grow and develop,we will soon be left behind. In the 21st century, we all need to be lifelong learners. We need to continually keep our skills sharp and up to date so that we have an edge in all we do. Of course, we all have a natural desire to learn for adapting to change, enriching and fulfilling our lives (Claxton and Lucas, 2009). This review article is an attempt to present the main advantages which follow lifelong learning.