Dr. David Hay Senior Lecturer School of Educational Studies of the University of Surrey (UK)

Lifelong learning has become essential in a knowledge-based economy. Continuous learning adds value and maintains one's competitiveness in a fast-changing work environment. It is the only way to keep pace with social, economic and technological changes.

"You will find what you learnt in school redundant after working for several years and changing four to five jobs," says Dr David Hay, Senior Lecturer, School of Educational Studies of the University of Surrey (UK). Professional courses are designed to better align knowledge with work requirements and to help acquire skills essential for moving up the career ladder.

Dr Hay emphasizes that it should be a person's own responsibility to learn. He advises: "You should be responsible for your own learning [process] in your whole life. Have your own abilities to keep pace with change and ensure you are employable in the global market."

Although continuous learning can take different shapes and forms, it always aims at the same end result. Learning can be job-related courses delivered in a classroom or by distance learning, apprenticeship and other forms of on-the-job training.

Education of professionals

To meet the need for professional education in the field of lifelong learning, the School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKU SPACE) of the University of Hong Kong, in association with the University of Surrey, offers a program for Master of Science in Applied Professional Studies in Lifelong Learning.

The program's objective is to enable students to develop and extend their qualifications, competence and knowledge about lifelong learning, to their own benefit as well as that of their organizations. It stresses the application of knowledge learnt to the practice of adult training.

Targeting trainers and educators, the course is to prepare professionals who understand and are able to design lifelong learning processes in Hong Kong, says Dr Hay. "We aim at helping future trainers. For example, there's a module that explores lifelong learning as a policy, to see what is supported by governments abroad, the role of agency, how to design training programs, capture funding, etc."

This program was only introduced two years ago in Hong Kong as the first Master's degree course in lifelong learning, though it has been running for more than ten years in the UK.

To obtain the Master's qualification, students have to take eight modules by distance learning, and submit a dissertation. The program takes two years with two exit points; one at postgraduate certificate stage (upon completion of four modules including at least two core modules, usually in one year) and the other at postgraduate diploma stage (after eight modules, usually in two years).

Students who achieved a Master's degree can continue with their research for a PhD while at an MSc level, the course will help students to work more professionally. Says Dr Hay: "It brings about reflection on their professional practices and helps their organizations by making students think about why, not how to change staff."

Intellectual vs technical

Dr Hay emphasizes that the course helps students intellectually rather than technically. It puts emphasis on intellectual thinking, requires students to reflect on the lifelong learning process, and then apply the knowledge to their professional practices.

Technical skills on training and education are covered in elective modules and during workshops.

One student, Wong Po-ki, Country Education Service Manager of Hewlett Packard Hong Kong, appreciates most the theoretical aspect of the course. He says: "As a Master's program, it should not be as practical and technical as a certificate or diploma course. Instead, it is based on a broader view as a combination of sociology, politics, philosophy and psychology." Mr. Wong is responsible for training of corporate customers in using HP's computer systems. He finds the course useful for business development and long-term planning.

Another student, Miriam Chan, Deputy Manager of the Course Administration Department of the Employees Retraining Board, also believes the course can help in the long run. She thinks the study of education theory is useful for further advancement in the field of adult education, although she finds it does not actually relate to her current work, which is administrative in nature.

Self discipline

While the University of Surrey also offers this course in other countries such as Australia and Korea, Hong Kong is the only location they run the program in a partnership, also providing face-to-face tutorials and workshops.

Students say, the course's major limitation is its distance learning system. "It requires a lot of self discipline," says Mr. Wong. He adds that interaction with other students is limited, while Ms Chan, who has no previous formal training in education, thinks the tutorial support is insufficient to facilitate her study.

Nevertheless, Dr Hay prefers such a mix of methods. "It is a plus to have face-to-face tutorials [in addition to e-learning]." He points out that criticism has also been leveled at classroom teaching, because it is a fake and artificial environment. He adds that e-learning is simply a choice of necessity when face-to-face teaching is impossible; but not a choice for cost-saving reasons; it can be even more expensive to establish and maintain the system required.

Students say, the course's major limitation is its distance learning system. "It requires a lot of self discipline," says Mr. Wong. He adds that interaction with other students is limited, while Ms Chan, who has no previous formal training in education, thinks the tutorial support is insufficient to facilitate her study.

Nevertheless, Dr Hay prefers such a mix of methods. "It is a plus to have face-to-face tutorials [in addition to e-learning]." He points out that criticism has also been leveled at classroom teaching, because it is a fake and artificial environment. He adds that e-learning is simply a choice of necessity when face-to-face teaching is impossible; but not a choice for cost-saving reasons; it can be even more expensive to establish and maintain the system required.

Taken from Career Times 2002/08/16