Lifelong Learning Organizations

By:Cynthia Davis, Debra Lee Gould,

Felicia Jones-Shaw, Larry Wright

Melanie LatinAET/508

August 18, 2014

The Coalition of Lifelong Learning Organization• Philosophy and Approach to Lifelong Learning

Formally established in 1973, the philosophy of the Coalition of Lifelong Learning Organizations (COLLO) is to provide a forum for its members to review new adult and continuing education programs, national policy, and innovative examples of the use of technology. They play an active role in promoting the best practices of adult, continuing education and lifelong learning.

• Programs Offered

The Coalition facilitates the exchange of information about various aspects of lifelong learning education, such as programs, financial support, legislation, administration, professional development, publications, research, staffing. These resources include information about professional organizations, presentations and webinars, and discussion of educational topics.

http://thecollo.org/aboutus.php#statements

The Coalition of Lifelong Learning Organization• Specific Needs for Various Populations

The COLLO consists of national associations and groups that share a common interest in enhancing the field of lifelong learning for its members. These organizations represent public schools, institutions of higher education, industry, labor groups, and most importantly, the learners themselves. COLLO operates on a non-profit basis for the promotion of social welfare by developing, maintaining, and improving a balanced system of lifelong learning. They do this by:

• Identifying and focusing on the resolution of major issues in lifelong learning education.

• Facilitating the exchange of information about resources, actions, and plans of the member organizations of the Coalition.

• Facilitating the exchange of information among member organizations of the Coalition about various aspects of lifelong learning education.

• Initiating, facilitating, and promoting joint planning or projects to serve the field of lifelong learning education.

• Serving as a resource for information and to provide consultative services concerning lifelong learning education to government agencies and other organizations.

• Educating the public as to the importance, value, and necessity of lifelong learning education and to serve as an advocate where appropriate.

• Promoting the action of government, foundations, and agencies to achieve equal educational opportunity for all adults.

• Identifying and encouraging cooperation with other groups, agencies, and organizations in the achievement of these overall purposes.

The Coalition also studies, evaluates, and makes recommendations concerning legislative proposals affecting lifelong learning education.

(http://thecollo.org/aboutus.php#purposes)

American Association of Adult & Continuing Education• Philosophy and Approach to Lifelong Learning

The American Association of Adult & Continuing Education (AAACE) is an organization governed by a volunteer board of directors, consisting of a five member executive committee, two directors-at-large, and eight commission directors. This organization believes that lifelong learning adds to older people’s fulfillment in life and social change. The AAACE has the belief that the world is a better place when the diverse practice of their members help adults acquire the knowledge, skills and values needed to lead productive and satisfying lives.

• Programs Offered

The mission of the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE) is a non-profit organization that provides adult and continuing education that gives opportunities for adult growth and development and giving adult educators information through research about development and dissemination of theory; best practices; promoting standards for the profession; and promoting different public policies and social change initiatives

AAACE (2014). Expanding opportunities for adult learning and development. Retrieved from http://www.aaace.org/who-we-are

American Association of Adult & Continuing Education• Specific Needs for Various Populations

The AAACE has 29 special interest groups to support the members

• Adult Development

• Adult Education Staff Development

• Adult High School

• Adult Psychology

• Aging Psychology

• Aging Education Issues

• Colleges and Universities

• Community Colleges

• Cooperative Extension

• Correctional Institutions

• Counseling & Adult Learner Services

• English as a Second Language

• GED Test Administrators

• Graduate Students of Adult Education

• Health Professionals

• History and Philosophy of Adult Education

• Human Resource Development & Training

• Labor/Workforce Education

• Literacy Issues

• Military

• Minority and Human Rights

• Popular Education

• Religious Education

• Research and Practice

• Special Learning Needs/Disabled

• State of Directors of Education

• Sustainability and Environmental Adult Education

• Vocational & Career Education

• Women’s Issues, Status & EducationAAACE (2014). Expanding opportunities for adult learning and development. Retrieved from http://www.aaace.org/interest-groups

National Institute of Adult Continuing Education• Philosophy and Approach to Lifelong Learning

The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) is the national voice for lifelong learning. Originally formed in 1921 as the British Institute for Adult Education. This organization internationally respected think-tank which works on issues focused on the renewal of the political economy, education and learning, public policy and regeneration fields in the United Kingdom.

• Programs Offered

The NIACE fosters the personal, social and economic benefits from lifelong learning. The organization also works to improve peoples’ adult learning and skills system, and campaign for adults’ opportunities throughout their lives to participate in and benefit from learning. They believe that adults who participate in learning are likely to be healthier, happier and better paid than those who do not. This organization also believes that lifelong learning empowers older adults to take control of their lives and reach their highest potential.

  NIACE (2014). The national voice for lifelong learning. Retrieved from http://www.niace.org.uk/about-us

National Institute of Adult Continuing Education• Specific Needs for Various Populations

The NIACE is the national voice for lifelong learning and campaigns for the personal, social, and economic benefits from lifelong learning, and fights for all adults to have opportunities throughout their lives to participate in and benefit from learning. More specifically we assist in:

• Life Skills – literacy, numeracy, financial capability, ESOL, digital competence and other related skills

• Learning in and for the Workplace – having access to a range of high quality opportunities to learn for work is vitally important for creating a society in which all adults can benefit from learning at every stage in their lives.

• Learning in Families and Communities – family learning develops the skills of adults and children and builds strong resilient families and learning in communities develops confidence and self-belief to help empower individuals from under-represented groups to take control of their lives and realize their full potential. 

NIACE (2014). The national voice for lifelong learning. Retrieved from http://www.niace.org.uk/our-work

UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning• Philosophy and Approach to Lifelong Learning

The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning is a non-profit, policy-driven, international research, training, information, documentation, and publishing centre of UNESCO. UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning promotes lifelong learning with a focus on adult learning and education, especiallly literacy and non-formal education and alternative learning opportunities for marginalized and disadvantaged groups.

• Programs Offered

UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning has a mission to see that all forms of learning are recognized, valued, and available for meeting the demands of individuals and communities throughout the world.

UNESCO (2013). About Us. Retrieved from http://uil.unesco.org/about-us/news-target/unesco-institute-for-lifelong-learning/27f167bca55e284291781a1d4c82ecf2/

UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning• Specific Needs for Various Populations

Adult literacy is one of the most neglected of the Education for ALL (EFA) goals for UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, which is why UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning focuses on five strategic areas of action to achieve the overall objective of furthering literacy as a foundation for lifelong learning.

• Coordination of UNESCO’s Literacy Initiative for Empowerment (LIFE)

• Advocacy for literacy

• Research on literacy policies and practices

• Capacity-building for the achievement of EFA goals

• Effective monitoring and evaluation systems

UNESCO (2013). Literacy. Retrieved from http://uil.unesco.org/about-us/news-target/unesco-institute-for-lifelong-learning/27f167bca55e284291781a1d4c82ecf2/

Council for Adult and Experiential Learning• Philosophy and Approach to Lifelong Learning

The CAEL is a nonprofit that is a leader in linking learning and work. The CAEL works at every level within the public and private sectors and higher education. By focusing on the needs of learners, CAEL makes it easy for adults to get an education and specialized employee training.

• Programs Offered

CAEL believes education is the key to success, regardless of age. Helping adult learners by finding practical ways to link people’s education to their job needs and future careers. Supporting ways to link personal real life experiences to ensure an understanding of topics discussed. Providing ways to expedite the educational journey by offering PLA, Prior Learning Assessment.

CAEL (2014). Linking learning and work. Retrieved from http://www.cael.org/home

Council for Adult and Experiential Learning• Specific Needs for Various Populations

A person’s demographics, educational learning style, career path, college credits, competency based education, company policies and procedures, requirements for the institution of higher learning or workforce development are taken into advisement as the CAEL maps out a plan to help its client(s). The CAEL also serves employers and workforce developers. Adult students, military & veterans, low income & unemployed, employees, and older workers.

CAEL (2014). Linking learning and work. Retrieved from http://www.cael.org/home