EPALE - Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe

 “Lahti Academy of Liberal and Fine Arts (Lahden kansanopiston säätiö, ALFA) adult education institution in the city of Lahti in the Päijät-Häme region of Finland, “CEPA Torres de la Alameda” adult education center in the city of Torres de la Alameda in the Community of Madrid, Spain and “Jurbarko svietimo centras” education center in Jurbarkas, Lithuania are working on the ambitious project „From Pointless to Purposeful - Tools for promoting active and constructive participation of adults with low study motivation and lack of horizons” (Project Acronym „Pointless to Purposeful“), where our aim is to analyze and address the widespread demotivation among adult education students.

The project idea was granted and valued very highly by the Erasmus+ evaluation committee. 

Our approach begun with the training of educators, with the goal of equipping them to address adult learners/students’ lack of initiative and engagement and manage the frustration that it sometimes entails.

The project is divided into five work packages but at the heart the project highlights three work packages utilizing different working methods, where different aspects on positive pedagogy such as meaning, relationships and accomplishment are discussed and evaluated. December 2024, the core team of the project met in Madrid, Spain, for our first face-to-face working session.

With pleasure we now) share with you the Mind treasure that we have experienced:

During the first transnational meeting, participants delved into the importance of the meaning and purpose of Education, which is one of the main aspects of positive pedagogy. In the discussions, participants examined the concept of lifelong learning, cultural differences, and the meaning of purposefulness. The importance of positive psychology was also emphasized, which helps people better understand, manage, and regulate both negative and positive emotions.

The meeting emphasized that positive emotions increase people's satisfaction, promote engagement, help achieve greater potential and cope with negative emotions more easily. The topic of the work package is closely related to discussions on European values ​​and the future of Europe, strengthening the participants' mutual connection with partners from other countries.

The dialogue/conversation and main learning topics that the participants explored and discussed were:

• Different perspectives on the meaning of education and learning processes

• Recognition and development of an individual character strengths

• Purpose and coherence in the life of an adult learner

In workshops and authentic learning activities, participants evaluated, improved and adapted existing educational tools. An interesting aspect was that local students from the adult education center adopted the role of teachers in these activities what provided new perspectives and promoted an understanding of the meaning of education.

Project goals and future plans:

The project aims to promote the motivation of low-achieving adults using positive pedagogy methods and universal design principles. Participants will further delve into the search for life purpose, explore issues of the meaning of education and develop cooperation with European partners. Two more international meetings are planned in Finland and Lithuania, which will further strengthen the impact of the project and the sustainability of the results.

As an outcome, we will:

• Publish a Digital booklet - guide that can assist other institutions dedicated to adult education in implementing strategies or tools that contribute to the establishment of teaching methods and pedagogical approaches that ultimately improve adult students' motivation, enhance their self-esteem, and help them discover a purpose for their academic training;

• Strengthen a positive pedagogical approach to self-education and learning in the education of different age groups of adults;

• Strengthen European identity and values ​​in the community;

• Promote educational well-being, which strengthens the commitments of both educational staff and learners as a whole community.

• Follow us for more on:

• https://www.lahdenkansanopisto.fi/info/projektit/from-pointless-to-purposeful/

• https://epale.ec.europa.eu/

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