NEWS

9.10.2024

Education as a path to mental health

Education in later life is an excellent way to maintain mental health. Learning new things, like languages, technology, or developing artistic skills, stimulates the brain and enhances its plasticity. Intellectual activities, such as participating in courses or workshops, can reduce the risk of problems like dementia or depression. Keeping the mind active also fosters a sense of purpose and fulfillment, which positively impacts the overall well-being of older adults.

7.10.2024

How can educators support people 55+?

Educators play a crucial role in the adult learning process, especially for those 55+! Senior education is not only about gaining new skills but also about providing emotional and motivational support. Teachers can help seniors navigate the digital world, develop hobbies, and build self-confidence.  It’s important for lessons to be tailored to their pace and needs, fostering a sense of success and community. Regular learning also improves memory and concentration, enhancing the quality of life.

06.09.2024

How to plan your educational path after the age of 55?

Planning your educational path after the age of 55 is a great way to stay mentally active, develop new skills and establish valuable social relationships. As part of the “Education for the Future” project, we support staff working with older people to help them create appropriate educational programs.

Here are some tips on how people 55+ can effectively plan their educational journey:

  • Identify your goals: Think about what you want to learn and why. Is it to develop your passion, acquire new professional skills or maybe make new friends?
  • Choose the right courses: Look for educational programs that match your interests and level of advancement. Make sure the courses offer support that will help you achieve your goals.
  • Plan your time: Determine how much time you can devote to learning and create a schedule that will allow you to regularly attend classes.
  • Use support: Don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice. The training staff, thanks to the “Education for the Future” project, is trained to support seniors in their educational journey.
  • Stay motivated: Remember that learning is a process. Enjoy small successes and be patient in pursuing your goals.

We invite you to follow our initiatives that help people over 55 to plan their educational path consciously and satisfactorily!

04.09.2024

EduForFuture Partner Meeting in Lublin

A partner meeting was held in Lublin on September 3-4, 2024 , attended by representatives of the Fund for Initiatives Foundation (FFI) and the German organization Schwerpunkt. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the achievements to date and to plan further activities within the project dedicated to the education of people aged 55+.
 
During the two-day meeting, the results of research on the educational needs of people aged 55+ in both Poland and Germany were presented. These results constitute the foundation for the development of diagnostic and monitoring tools that support educational counseling. Thanks to them, it will be possible to better match educational offers to the actual needs of this age group, which will contribute to improving the quality of life of seniors. In particular, templates for advisory cards and proposals for educational offers were presented, which will be a key element of support for educational counselors.
 
The focus was also on planning the next stages of the project. A schedule of work related to the development of a guide for staff was established and testing of advisory tools in both countries was planned. Participants emphasized that the results of this project have the potential to significantly improve the quality of life of people aged 55+ through more precise and tailored educational counseling. We would like to thank all participants for their active participation and constructive cooperation. We look forward to the next stages of the project!

09.08.2024

Tips for Educators

Teaching seniors requires adapting educational methods to their specific needs and abilities. Here are some tips and best practices:
 
Adjust the pace of learning: Ensure that the pace of the classes is appropriate and allows participants enough time to understand and absorb the material.
Use simple language: Avoid complicated jargon and use clear, understandable language.
Practical examples: Use real, practical examples that have direct applications in the daily lives of seniors.
Interactive teaching methods: Incorporate interactive elements such as group discussions, practical exercises, and educational games to maintain engagement and interest.
Emphasize social importance: Encourage participants to share experiences and build relationships, which fosters integration and increases motivation to learn.
Flexibility and patience: Be flexible and patient, adapting to the individual needs and capabilities of each participant.
 
Applying these practices will help create a friendly and effective educational environment for seniors.

05.08.2024

Exchange of Best Practices in Adult Education

In adult education, especially for individuals aged 55 and older, it is important to use methods that consider their life experience and specific needs. Here are some examples of effective educational methods:
 
1. Experiential Learning: Adults often absorb knowledge better through practical exercises and tasks that have direct applications in their daily lives. 
2. Individual Approach: Adjusting the pace of learning and materials to the individual capabilities and interests of participants increases engagement and motivation. 
3. Combination of Traditional and Modern Methods: Combining lectures with modern technologies, such as e-learning or videoconferencing, allows for flexibility and accessibility of educational materials. 
4. Group Projects and Discussions: Collaboration in groups and sharing experiences are beneficial for older adults as they promote social integration and teach teamwork. 
5. Utilizing the Knowledge and Experience of Participants: Older adults have rich professional and life experiences that can be valuable sources of knowledge for other course participants. 
 
Let’s share these practices and develop adult education to be as effective and accessible as possible for everyone! 

18.07.2024

10 reasons why it is worth learning throughout your life!

In the previous news we touched on the topic of lifelong learning. Now we want to provide you with more useful information on this topic. That’s why we present 10 reasons why it is worth learning throughout your life!
1. Personal Development: Lifelong learning helps us develop our interests, passions, and skills, leading to greater life satisfaction.
2. Better Career Prospects: Continuously acquiring new skills and knowledge increases our chances for promotion, career change, or finding a better-paying job.
3. Adaptation to Change: In today’s fast-changing world, the ability to adapt to new technologies and trends is crucial. Learning helps us stay up to date.
4. Improved Mental Health: Mental activities such as learning can improve our mental health, reducing the risk of dementia and age-related diseases.
5. Increased Confidence: Gaining new knowledge and skills builds our confidence and self-esteem.
6. Social Skill Development: Participating in courses, trainings, or workshops provides opportunities to make new acquaintances and build relationships with people who share similar interests.
7. Discovering New Opportunities: Continuous learning opens up new opportunities and perspectives that might remain undiscovered without proper knowledge.
8. Enhanced Creativity: Learning new things stimulates our creativity, helping us think more innovatively and find unconventional solutions to problems.
9. Enriched Social Life: Active participation in various forms of education allows us to engage in social and cultural life, enriching our overall experience.
10. Longevity: Research shows that people who engage in lifelong learning tend to live longer and healthier lives. Keeping mentally active has a positive impact on our overall health and well-being.

16.07.2024

Innovative Educational Counseling Service for Individuals Aged 55+

We learn throughout our lives, and learning is especially important for individuals aged 55+. Continuous learning allows us not only to develop new skills but also to improve the quality of our lives and keep our minds sharp. 
The project “Educational counselling to improve the quality of life for people 55+” aims to support adult education by offering innovative educational counseling services.
Why is lifelong learning important?
  • Personal and professional development: Learning new things broadens our horizons and opens up new opportunities. 
  • Improved mental health: Learning stimulates the mind and helps maintain mental health. 
  • Social integration: Participating in courses and workshops helps build new connections and a sense of community. 
Join us and discover how education can improve the quality of your life!

14.06.2024

It's Here!

We are thrilled to announce that the first final report for the project “Educational Counseling to Improve the Quality of Life for People 55+” is now available! 

This report aims to analyse the educational needs of individuals aged 55 and older in Poland, Germany and Europe as a whole. The report will also identify and discuss good practices in education and educational counselling for this demographic group. The report will be part of a broader final report that will support the development of an appropriate programme of educational counselling for people aged 55+.

The activities include:

  • Development of an educational counseling service
  • Development of a guide for staff
  • Exchange of good practices and dissemination
  • Project management and implementation.

The project aims to:

  • Develop an innovative service of non-vocational “educational counseling service for people 55+”.
  • Create a “guide for adult education staff” with guidelines/recommendations on how to run the service and document templates.
  • Increasing knowledge and competencies of at least 6 staff representatives from 3 partner institutions.
  • Increasing the staff and institutional potential of 3 partner institutions.
  • Expanding the offer in the field of non-professional educational counselling for adults (targeted at people aged 55+) in two partner countries.

Target groups:

Employees of partner institutions

Adult learners aged 55+

Adult education staff

Educational/training institutions

The final report can be read and downloaded free of charge on the Fundacja “Fundusz Inicjatyw” website: Raport Końcowy eduforfuture ENG – Fundacja “Fundusz Inicjatyw” (ffi.org.pl).

We sincerely thank everyone involved and invite you to follow the ongoing activities of the project. For more information, please visit our website. 

 

Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

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