Lifelong Learning

1. University of Puerto Rico in Aguadilla
Department of English
Research paper
“Lifelong Learning”
Nicolle M. Ayala Mercado
INGL3231-LB1
Dr. Carmen Cabán
November 9, 2015

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Table of Content
Topic Page
Introduction…………………………………………………………………….3
Lifelong learning meaning, methods, benefits and habit creation…..………….4-8
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………9
References…………………………………………………………………….10-11

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In the world teaching and learning has been very important for many people. Learning is
a very significant factor in human development and social behavior. If humans maintain
themselves learning. They will be more productive in the society and they will feel good about
themselves, because they will know and share new information constantly with others. Statistics
show that the vast majority of human population is mature and old. With this changes in
population, there should be a change in the way humans get educated and to whom and how the
education is given. This is why people should think of lifelong learning. This topic of lifelong
learning began growing a few decades ago and now has developed into a much needed aspect of
life. Lifelong learning can be implemented in schools because is not only for the elderly and it will
be helpful in the future. To be a lifelong learner people should know the meaning and have a clear
view and understanding of it. Another important factor that each individual should know are the
types of learning methods used in the process. Additional people should know the benefits this
system offers to their cognitive learning, self-confidence and productivity. Finally people should
know the techniques that will motivate and improve a lifelong learning behavior through life.

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This method has been defined as a continuous learning from the moment the person is born
to the moment he or she takes his last breath. It has been around since the 50’s and 60’s but the
moment of highest impact was in the 1990’s. The method can be seen as any type of learning
whether it is on school, job, and home or in extra-curricular activities. People can experience it
when they learn and socialize with their surroundings. Throughout the years there have been
philosophers that have agreed that learning should take place outside school because learning in
school is very limited. Schools only offers and focusses on basic subjects. Here in Puerto Rico
they focus on some areas in Math, Science, Health, Social Studies, History, Spanish and English.
Ivan Illich said “More learning should be done at home, in offices and kitchens, in the contexts
where knowledge is deployed to solve problems and to add value to people’s lives” (Smith, M. K.
2001). Affirming that, learning in an informal way, could bring help to the community. People can
acquire knowledge outside of school ground in a daily basis because this is where the individual
has the freedom to participate in discussions and figure out better ways to develop cognitively and
in a personal aspect. Illich also said that “educators freed from the restraint of schools could be
much more effective and deadly conditioners.” (Smith, M. K. 2001). Therefore, teachers should
promote learning outside of school grounds, and should motivate their students to start lifelong
learning behaviors so later in their life they can be valuable in their community even when they
get into an old age.
Young people, old people, parents and teachers should understand the methods in which
learning can take place. There are three ways people can learn. They are:
1. Formal = It is well planned and structured, it can be enrolled in a class, attending
lectures or engaging in seminars. It is usually directed by a teacher and the structure
has objectives about a certain topic, it is given in an institution, university or a school

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and will provide the person with a degree, diploma or certification. Therefore, formal
learning is strict and will guide the learner in the path that the teacher wants, giving the
individual less freedom, but providing the necessary tools to learn.
2. Informal =It is known as the daily work an individual does or any self-taught material.
It can take place at any given time and place, the individual has no need to have a well-
structured process in learning. Usually informal learning is not taught by teachers but
by a co-worker, aunt, father, mother, brothers, grandfather, friend or someone outside
of the educational system who has vast knowledge over a given subject.
3. Non-formal = It is structured and relates in an indirectly way to formal education. This
type of education became a big part of formal learning around the 1960’s and 1970’s,
Malcolm Tight a professor in Lancaster University suggested that non-formal learning
is passed on “acknowledging the importance of education, learning and training which
takes place outside recognized educational institutions”(Smith, M. K. 2001). Also, this
method is flexible, independent and the time that people spent in it is short. If the person
is very interested in the subject, he or she will spent more time searching and learning.
It is also individualized and the person decides what subject should be discussed,
developed or investigated. Almost all the students and adults use non-formal learning
because they are using their interests and needs to educate themselves. It still involves
formal education, but the subjects are presented in a flexible time period and the student
will have a friendly behavior towards the teacher or any other individual. Also if we
use non-formal learning people can express themselves freely. Sharing what they think
and debating in a more independent way.

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Now there is a better understanding of the definition and the methods used in lifelong
learning. People should also know what benefits can be provided by this method on their self-
esteem, productivity and cognitive development. All of these go hand in hand, if a person’s
cognitive development is on a good track then the individual will feel more confident, therefore
increasing self-esteem. When people have high self-esteem they feel good about themselves and
behave productively in society. Having this perspectives in mind, a few professionals like
Hildebrand, Mascle, and Nordstrom and his son have mentioned some benefits that lifelong
learning pervades. The benefits will not be mentioned in any particular order, the objective is for
the individual to see in what ways this learning style can help and motivate the person to create a
habit or rutting of learning in this special way. The benefits of lifelong learning are the following:
 You sharpen the mind with the years of learning, when people maintain themselves reading
and searching for new topics to learn from, they stimulate the brain, creating lifelong
learning. This helps in the future because older people will not feel lost in the world.
 The individual has a broad mind filled with knowledge he or she can accomplish, better
goals in the job and outside of it. Even get a better position and salary.
 Lifelong learning can improve and ensure a good career for your life. An excellent job and
a high position in the society.
 People create self-assurance when they are lifelong learners.
 With lifelong learning people can expand their knowledge and vocabulary. Be aware of
what is changing in the world, what’s true and what’s false. This way the person can share
the information with others in the society.

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 It can help young and older people adapt, because if they have a lifelong learning self –
routine. They will know the changes occurring in the environment and they will not feel
lost. They will adjust very quickly.
 With Lifelong learning behavior, people generate an appetite for learning more and acquire
more knowledge. Each day the individual would want to look for information that can
provide knowledge that hadn’t been acquired.
 It also can help people’s integration in the society, because they become more social and
secure about themselves and by this they make new relationships in work, schools,
neighborhoods and social groups.
 This is why the lifelong learning habit is so important. If an individual wants to promote
this habit he or she should always have a book nearby. It does not matter if it is a story, a
novel or an article. It could be whatever the person wants but there has to be reading
involved for there to be an acquired knowledge in the end. This will help the individual
expand their vocabulary. The person has to choose a time in their day to do this. Also the
individual can make a list to keep track of what they want to learn. If the individual is
surrounded by friends with the same lifelong learning habit he or she will become more
intellectual throughout the years because they are exchanging information from each other
and learning about different topics every time they meet. People become critical thinkers
when they acquire the skill through this habit. They start to agree and disagree with others
opinions and ideals. They start questioning others and themselves looking for answers and
new ideas for the topic they are is reading and learning about.

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The individual should share what he or she has learned with peers in work, friends and
family. In addition, it should be taught all acquired for a better understanding of it. When
the individual has decided to promote this habit he will develop new skills that will be used
throughout life. The person should be aware of the time spent learning. It would be better
to take some time in the morning because the brain is rested without the stress of the day,
but the person decides in what time of the day he is going to spend doing this. The more
time the individual spends learning the more effective it will be. Finally, the individual
should make lifelong learning a priority and make it part of their life.

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Lifelong learning can be done in three ways formal, informal and non-formal. It has
a lot of good benefits that each individual would want to have. It creates critical thinking and
people can think outside the box. It also creates self- confidence and nurtures the brain.
Lifelong learning is acquired through reading and searching about different subjects that will
help the person grow in knowledge. Older people can benefit from this because if they would
apply such habits they would keep up with society changes. They will not feel lost or left out.
This habit can be implemented at an early age. If every child grows using this
method in their life, it would bring amazing results. When people become lifelong learners
they will acquire skills in themes like: global awareness, financial, economic, business and
literacy. When they start thinking, they become critical thinkers, innovators and leaders in
society.
“Once you stop learning, you start dying.” – Albert Einstein.

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