The paper considers non-formal adult education. For this purpose, various classifications of adult education, forms of non-formal education and its advantages were presented. Activities of the Academy of Beautiful Time – initiative implemented by City Public Library in Czechowice-Dziedzice were characterized. The objectives of the Academy, ways of achieving the objectives and permissions of the listeners were presented. The paper also analyzes statistical data on the Academy of Beautiful Time, such as the number of students, the number of people participating in the courses, the number of hours of education and discusses the form of educational activity within the Academy. The article highlights the role of public libraries in the process of non-formal education and directions of development of the Academy of Beautiful Time in Czechowice-Dziedzice were formulated.

The study presents the results of research based on the review and identification of significant talent management methods used in different types of organizations. The study interprets the results of research conducted in 2016 on the set of 301 various companies operating in the Czech Republic. The authors of the study assume that the efficiency of the whole talent management should be based on the efficiency of its well-chosen methods. The research showed that there is a different understanding and application of talent management methods by organization management according to the size and legal form of the organization (company).

The meaning of responsibility, especially in young adults, plays an important role in contemporary life. It has an impact on the family life, social relations, ways of a work performance and many other aspects. The problem of taking responsibility by present-day people is discussed on different levels and in different areas. The point of view of adult learners of the formal education system still remains overlooked in academic discourse. This article presents adult learners’ understanding of the concept of adulthood and its important component, responsibility. The present study examined opinions of learners attending upper secondary school for adults, using the phenomenography method. In anonymous survey with open-ended questions, 94 voluntary participants (aged 18–63) took part. This qualitative study examined how adult learners begin to recognize the importance of a sense of responsibility for themselves and how it influences their life. The results of the study indicate the traditional understanding of the concept of adulthood by adult learners. Personal development, as a result of a variety of life experiences, makes increase of the importance of responsibility for themselves, their family and surrounding. Though different life difficulties, awkwardness, lack of autonomy, the value of responsibility becomes more significant.

W najbliższej przyszłości zaznaczać się będą dwa przeciwstawne zjawiska: wydłużania okresu edukacji obowiązkowej oraz powszechnego uczestnictwa w kształceniu ustawicznym. To ostatnie może być realizowane zarówno w formule UTW, jak i w formule regularnych zajęć dla grup uczniów lub studentów 50 plus. Mimo że liczba takich inicjatyw jest bardzo duża nie rozwiązała jeszcze kwestii przygotowania wykładowców dla tych form edukacji seniorów. Może a niekiedy już generuje to napięcia, co uwidaczniało się w studiach stacjonarnych formuły 50 plus realizowanych w Akademii Pomorskiej w Słupsku. Oznacza to konieczność sprofesjonalizowania nauczycieli dla tych form edukacyjnych, aby możliwe było zróżnicowanie między zajęciami na standardowych studiach stacjonarnych a zajęciami w formule studiów stacjonarnych od 50 plus do UTW.

This article aims to note the importance of non-formal education in the context of lifelong learning, especially in last phase. A secondary analysis of empirical research, conducted in Germany as part of a unique project “Competencies in Later Life” (CiLL), is the starting point for a reflection on the necessity of support of educational processes, enabling the development of qualifications after leaving formal education system. This study allowed to determine the level of competence of literacy, numeracy and problem solving in technology-rich environments of the population aged 66-80 years.The conclusions of the study are clear: in connection with a deficit of the core competencies of older people is needed educational offer. Participation in education can prevent exclusion from social life.

The aim of the article is to present selected themes that form part of the contemporary discourse on informal learning, which since the 1970s has dominated the scientific debate on learning, especially in the area of adult education. The authors, using Polish and German-language literature, outline areas of scientific and research interest, as well as tendencies in the contemporary approach to the learning processes of adolescents and adults. Moreover, they present exemplary results of research on informal learning, conducted within various fields: adult education, social pedagogy, economics and others. They indicate that separate treatment of human learning (division into formal, non-formal, and informal learning) is not always justified, and is not conducive to the analysis of learning processes.

This paper presents the results of a study that explored the experiences of adult educators during the COVID-19 pandemic. This online survey was conducted in June 2020 and included directors and teachers in adult education from various institutions in Slovenia. Tutors at Slovenian Third-Age Universities and other associations that provided adult education were also included. The aim of our study was to examine how distance education was implemented during the pandemic, using the concept of ‘emergency remote teaching’ (Hodges, 2020). The study sample included 30 directors of adult education institutions and 124 teachers or tutors. The results showed that organisations providing adult education responded during the lockdown by providing adults with the opportunity to continue their education through distance learning. However, this was not the case for all of adult education programmes. Mostly language courses and formal education were offered. The results show that most adult educators quickly adapted to the new working conditions, but that teaching approaches were rather static and asynchronous teaching solutions. An analysis of the problems teachers faced and the support they needed has shown that action is needed to remove the obstacles to the future provision of adult education as much as possible.

The study is a part of the research on the couching method as a tool for adult personality development related to the managerial potential development. The aim was to find out differences between subjectively and objectively measured levels of managerial potential in a research sample and to compare differences in their positions as managers and non-managers. The study was based on the conception of managerial potential development. The article gives results of the Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI) where the managerial potential was measured in seven competencies. The results were compared with the research sample’s self-assessment in a questionnaire of own design. The finding was that managers achieved better results in objectively measured competencies than in subjectively measured competencies. They scored highest in the objectively measured managerial competence Inquisitive and lowest in the objectively measured managerial competence Adjustment. Candidates achieved better results in objectively measured competencies than in subjectively measured competencies. They scored highest in the objectively measured managerial competence Interpersonal Sensitivity and lowest in the objectively measured managerial competence Adjustment. In subjective self-assessment, managers achieved higher mean scores than candidates in the competence Ambition. Managers, again, scored higher than candidates in subjective assessment of the competence Inquisitive. In subjective assessment, candidates scored highest in the managerial competence Interpersonal Sensitivity and lowest in the managerial competence Learning Approach. There were no statistically significant differences between managers and candidates for managerial positions in the managerial potential.

The aim of the article is to compare the situation of lifelong learning in Central European countries. Six countries were selected for the study: Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Slovenia, the Slovak Republic, and the Czech Republic. The research is based on data from the International Survey of Adult Skills (OECD PIAAC). Respondents 30 years old and over were selected for analysis because a significant proportion of younger people have not yet completed their formal studies. According to the analysis, Estonian adults are most often involved in lifelong learning activities, while representatives from the Slovak Republic are the least involved. In all countries, those with above high school education are the most likely to participate in lifelong learning activities compared to those with lower than high school education and with high school education. In different countries, different kinds of learning activities prevail.

The purpose of this study was to investigate adult learners’ perceptions of the use of Interactive Whiteboards (IWBs) in a university classroom in Taiwan. The participants were undergraduate students in a Master’s program. Research data were obtained through students’ interviews, site observations, and students’ reflective journals on the course website. Interviews were conducted with six adult learners who were also working professionals. The research data indicate that adult learners valued the benefits of using IWBs in instruction and workplace learning and pointed out that instructors’ readiness and competence determine the effectiveness of IWB integration in classrooms. Another important finding revealed in this study suggested that instructors need to develop creative IWB lesson plans that fully utilize the advantages of IWBs in order to ensure that IWBs are effectively and continually used in adult education/training settings.

Lifelong learning is not an aim but a means for continuous and permanent development and successful advancement of each individual. Not only does it bring competitive advantage at the labour market, but it also helps to solve problems and provides new knowledge and contacts. Thanks to lifelong learning any individual has an opportunity to get educated at various stages of his life in accordance with his own interests and needs and his value at the labour market is increasing. Lifelong learning differs from school education by a variety of means, methods and motivation. The paper describes and analyses one of the main stages of lifelong learning, which is the adult education at the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague (CULS). The main aim of this paper is to provide basic information on the lifelong education at the faculty of Economics and Management of the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague. Selected statistical methods of quantitative research were used in order to analyse the above-mentioned issues. The data were obtained from a questionnaire survey and analysed using the one-dimensional as well as multidimensional statistical methods. The basis for the analysis itself were the data about students in the courses of lifelong education in the combined form of studying at the Faculty of Economics and Management (FEM) of CULS in Prague between the years 2004 – 2012.

This paper presents research on the requirements and impact of servant leadership competencies development for middle managers in Lithuanian Railways. The research aimed to determine the requirements for servant leadership development. The methods of use were deduced based on middle managers’ gender, location, size of the team, managerial experience and field of activity. A qualitative research design was used based on in-depth focus group discussions with middle managers (7) and senior managers (4). Creating strategic investments in human capital development and a supportive organisational culture that values servant leadership is needed.

Abstract The study presents the results of the online case study of Ukrainian refugee educators who were forced to move to Poland. The study aimed to investigate problems encountered by refugee educators and find possible options for supporting them and their professional activities per the interests expressed during the survey in the context of lifelong learning. The conceptual background of the research problem was based on the theory of adult education and the recent international strategies. The research sample consisted of 124 refugee educators aged 35–55+ years who have the potential to work by the obtained speciality. Data were collected using a Google Forms questionnaire; qualitative research methods were used. The results allowed for formulating conclusions and perspectives on the educators’ professional development and support.

The paper’s topic refers to phenomenographic research with the participation of adult educators. The paper reflects educators’ concepts regarding expected learning outcomes or the learning process. These individual concepts were identified based on reconstructions of adult educators’ experiences. The purpose of the paper is to demonstrate the variety of approaches which educators apply in the educational process and the learning outcomes that adult learners are expected to achieve – according to the educators’ assumptions. Reference to selected theoretical models included in the paper allows looking at the theoretical context.

Informal Conditioning of the Development of the Achievement Accumulation and Transfer System in the Polish Vocational Training and Continuing Education

This paper reports from a qualitative study on informal conditions for the implementation credit transfer system in vocation education and training (VET) in Poland based on European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET). The study was conducted just before the new law of VET (October 1st 2011) came into force. It introduced: (1)new vocational core curriculum which includes 200 school occupations, in which 252 qualifications are distinguished, (2) learning outcomes approach, (3) the examination requirements based on learning outcomes specified for the qualifications, and other tools supporting credit transfer and accumulation. The main purpose of the paper is to analyse the VET stakeholders knowledge, understanding and opinion on these new solutions and general on credit transfer and accumulation concept which aims at supporting development of lifelong learning. On the very general level respondents support all solutions that could improve learners employability and education opportunities. However part of them do not perform in-depth knowledge and reflections on such concepts as learning outcomes approach. They indicate also a number of drawbacks of the VET reform in Poland that is implemented in a hurry without sufficient support for schools, teachers and learners.

The paper describes the method of satisfaction measurement as one of the marketing techniques used for detecting student satisfaction with study programs. A method of Satisfaction Pyramid is presented, which is used for satisfaction analysis. The theoretical part of the paper describes a methodological approach to satisfaction measurement and the field part presents total satisfaction, Satisfaction Index and partial satisfaction with significant factors and the last part of the paper refers to the importance of partial factors. The aim of the article is to detect the level of student satisfaction with the most important subjects in the study programme and also to set the importance of every factor influencing total satisfaction. The student satisfaction analysis was realized at two Czech universities, which offer study programmes of adult education.

The content of the contribution is an analysis of the structure of those motivation factors influencing the decision of adults of various kinds of competence for further education. The author also presents the results of research into the area of motivation.

The article analyses an interesting case of cultural education outside the majority educational system based on a series of books by Viktoria Alagueva. The publication of these books was an important impetus for the development of knowledge about Buryat culture among Russian- speaking Buryats, who in the times of the Soviet Union did not have the opportunity to transmit their own culture through the educational system, and for whom the transmission of the Buryat language and culture is still difficult in the post-Soviet era. The article is based on two types of sources. The first is Alagueva’s books themselves and an analysis of their content. The second is observational and interview data conducted as part of field research on the revival of Buryat culture. In the article, I show that well-prepared educational materials can significantly influence not only young generations of representatives of national and ethnic minorities but can also have a positive impact on adult education.