Brief information about a networking process in the fragmented field of Austrian adult education research.
The Austrian research environment in the area of adult education is
fragmented. An interdisciplinary platform for networking, exchanging
experiences and for coordinated cooperation and discussion is lacking.
This is the diagnosis which can be drawn from a survey of 35 renowned
researchers that are active in Austria in the field of "Adult education
/ Continuing education" which was carried out by the Danube University
Krems, the Austrian Institute for Adult Education (ÖIEB) and the
Austrian Institute for Vocational Education Research (ÖIBF). The
experts were asked for their judgements regard the status quo,
important topics, theories, fields of action, existing structures and
needs in Austria in this area. The results clearly show the high degree
of need for networking and discussion forums in the Austrian adult
education research environment.
Active and networked research on adult education topics would also be
relevant for the daily practice of adult education on the basis of many
reasons. From the involvement of students through to academic quality
assurance and strategy development, from the relevance of education
after the end of formal education in academic discussion through to
academic communication.
A meeting was held at the Danube University Krems in March 2005 in
which the results of the survey and derivable strategies were discussed
and a research network for adult education was also founded.
A memorandum on research policy is now being written (further
information is available at www.oieb.at). With the pivotal
collaboration of the Pedagogic Work and Research Centre (PAF), the
Association of Austrian Adult Education Centres will be holding its
first research network conference on 7th December 2006 on the subject
of "Self-determination and/or the labour market?" in cooperation with
the University of Linz.
(infonet)
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