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Teaching as a life-long learning process

Abstract

In general, lifelong learning means a continuous, abstract

lifelong phenomenon of learning; it cannot be thwarted by age or

the passage of time. It is holistic learning, including intellectual,

social, physical and emotional development. It is manifest through

both formal and informal education and continues from birth

through the end of life. This paper discusses about the teacher as a

life-long learner. This paper highlights the characteristics of

lifelong learning and challenges faced by the teacher-learning

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Introduction

Teachers are at the heart of the educational process. Lifelong

learning is an invisible process; it cannot be tangibly measured in

its totality either. Today we lead our lives in a world where

information and knowledge are a momentous force in shaping

society, and require more sophistical skills. Teachers need to learnnew skills and become lifelong learners themselves to keep up to

date with new knowledge, pedagogical ideas and technology.

Characteristics of Lifelong Learning

Lifelong learning is an integral and essential part of efforts to

raise standards of teaching learning and achievement. It is

necessary for all teachers in order to keep pace with change and to

review and renew their own knowledge, skills and visions for good

teaching. lifelong learning framework encompasses learning

throughout the life cycle, from early childhood to retirement, and in

different learning environments, formal, non-formal, informal and

self-motivated learning.

Formal learning

!ormal learning includes the hierarchically structured school

system that runs from primary school through the university and

organi"ed school-like programs created in business for technical

and professional training.

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Informal learning

Informal learning describes a lifelong process whereby individualsacquire attitudes, values, skills and knowledge from daily

e#perience and the educational influences and resources in his or

her environment, from family and neighbours, from work and play,

from the market place, the library and the mass media.

Self-motivated learning

$elf-motivated learning is a heavy emphasis on the need forindividuals to take responsibility for their own learning. Lifelong

learners are, therefore, not defined by the type of education or

training in which they are involved, but by the personal

characteristics that lead to such involvement.The necessary skills

and attitudes for learning, especially literacy and numeracy skills;

the confidence to learn, including a sense of engagement with the

education and training system; and willingness and motivation to

learn.

Teacher as a life-long learner

Teachers should be e#cellent learners.They should e#pect

and be e#pected to learn in personali"ed conte#ts. They should

develop their skills in a collegial community. %e raise lifelong

learners, by being lifelong learners ourselves. In the process we

become masters at the craft of teaching. %e read,we learn, not at

the surface level, but in great depth about the sub&ects we teach, we

have cultural e#perience and then, the enthusiasm we have about

the love of learning will e#ude from our very being to our students.

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http://wiki/Informal_learninghttp://wiki/Informal_learning

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'eing successful in the knowledge economy requiresmastering a new set of knowledge and competencies. These

includes basic academic skills, such as literacy, foreign

language,math and science skills and the ability to use information

and communication technology. Teachers must be able to use these

skills effectively, act autonomously and reflectively and &oin and

function in socially heterogeneous groups.

Challenges for Lifelong Learning

Lifelong Learning is becoming a necessity in our life. The

nature of teaching demands that teachers engage in continuing

career-long professional development, but particular needs and the

ways in which they may be met will vary according to

circumstance,personal and professional histories and current

dispositions. (rowth involves learning which is sometimes natural

and evolutionary, sometimes opportunistic and sometimes the

result of plannng.

Teacher can learn naturally over the course of a career.

)owever, learning from e#perience alone will ultimately limit

development. *rofessional development is to maintaining and

enhancing the quality of teachers. Teachers are understood to have

life-long professional needs and those will be met only if treated as

in the case of learner of continuity and progression.

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Conclusion

Teachers are the greatest asset. They stand at the interface ofthe transmission of knowledge, skills and values. Teacher will only

be able to fulfill their educational purposes if they are both well

prepared for the profession and able to maintain and improve their

contributions to it through career-long learning.

Reference

+ay hristopher *./000. +eveloping teachers1 the

challenges of lifelong learning /-2

3o&vithee, . 4556, ssuring Lifelong Learning for ll,

(lobal !orum on 7ducation, /-8

Lifelong Learning in the (lobal 9nowledge 7conomy1

hallenges for +eveloping ountries. The %orld 'ank,

%ashington, +.

www.(oogle.com

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