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Definition
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To evaluate personal performance and independently seek and act upon means of improvement to allow for the advancement of skills and knowledge for academic, personal development or professional reasons.
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Importance
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Lifelong learning is the intentional, ongoing pursuit of knowledge for personal or career-related reasons. It can be formal training and education (learning in a classroom setting) or informal.
Motivated individuals who understand the concept of lifelong learning and personal development, and prioritise the creation of time to educate themselves, can increase their rate of success on a personal or professional basis.
There is a direct correlation between individuals who strive for growth in their personal lives and those who thrive in their professional lives.
In an ever-changing labour market, it is more important than ever to stay current, competitive and up to date with your skills and knowledge. Knowledge, market trends and new processes are being created at such a pace that businesses can barely keep up. Employers place huge value on those who are willing to help contribute to new working practices and ideas and who identify growth areas both across the business or on a personal level.
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Key behaviours associated with being a life-long learner
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- Personal and professional development
- Critical self-reflection
- Development strategies
- Achievement
- Autonomy
- Inquisitiveness
- Curiosity for learning
- Self-motivation
- Growth mind-set
- Open-minded
- Enhancement
- Up-skilling
- New experiences
- Continuing Professional Development
- Training and education
- Real world knowledge
- Academic/vocational experience
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Examples of Outcomes
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Students should be able to:
- Transfer and adapt their knowledge and understandings to the wider community
- Demonstrate confidence and autonomy in the acquisition and deployment of knowledge
- Identify extra-curricular activities and learning reach which will help them to develop and apply for jobs and remain employable
- Reflect on the knowledge acquired and take any action needed to fill the gaps
- Seek experiences that will support their application into the world of work
- Identify gaps in their career profile and look to address any gaps, utilising services at the university
- Develop a professional presence on social media platforms such as LinkedIn
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Curriculum Design Strategies
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Include formative and summative assessments which require students to identify independent strategies for their further development, which can be added to their professional, digital platforms e.g. Reflective diaries, Personal Development Plans, skills audits, training needs analysis.
This attribute is linked to being ‘Self-Aware’
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Curriculum Delivery Strategies (examples)
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- Skills Audit – Provide opportunities for students to appraise their own skills in each academic year to encourage reflective thinking.
- Bolton Award – Encourage students to participate in internal and external award schemes, which can be recorded on the HEAR.
- Reflective Diaries – Provide opportunities for students to maintain a reflective diary/blog/vlog and discuss this with their personal tutor/supervisor throughout their studies.
- LinkedIn Profile – Ask students to create a LinkedIn profile and record all of their learning and development so far.
- Professional Bodies – Encourage students to connect with all relevant Professional Bodies and Membership Groups and networks.
- Alumni Engagement – Provide the opportunity for UoB Alumni to speak within the curriculum.
- Student-Led Conference – Ask students to organise a conference with a particular subject focus that encourages further development and enhancement of skills.
- Graduate Routes – Provide the opportunity for students to discuss all career pathways, linear and non-linear, and links to PG courses to encourage and explore further study
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