How and why do seniors learn?

RIVER – Recognition of intergenerational volunteering experiences and results
The Grundtvig project RIVER, coordinated by die Berater®, focuses on the validation of competences developed through active involvement in senior volunteering. One of the project’s’ aims is to motivate senior citizens to engage in volunteering activities, by showing them the learning benefit from themselves. 

But is this an efficient way to motivate older people to learn? As part of the event “ESF meets Leonardo Da Vinci & Grundtvig: Learning and Working in Old Age”, one workshop addressed the question of older peoples’ motivation to learn. Particularly in learning activities for older people, existing experience has to be seriously considered when creating and offering learning opportunities. 

ESF meets Leonardo Da Vinci & Grundtvig (Copyright: Martin Lusser)

In the context of professional further education it is important that the learning activity of the individual person is acknowledged by the employer.  One main result was that the level of general education determines the motivation to engage in lifelong learning. But even people with a lower level of education show high interest in the topic “learning” when it is delivered to them in their daily context and the offers are low-threshold. So the motivation strongly depends on what is offered, what context it is offered in and how people can benefit from the learning content in their everyday lives?



More information on RIVER: www.river-project.eu