Investigation of Lecturers’ Perceptions on Lifelong Learning (A Case of HEIs in Tbilisi)
Lifelong learning is a significant concept to be established in higher education institutions due to the globalized world and its requirements. Even though the concept is not new to the field of education, there are still quandaries confronted in the realization of the notion in educational organizations. In this mixed methodology study, the perceptions of lecturers towards lifelong learning are explored and identified by utilizing a survey with open and closed questions. Lack of consensus on the perception of lifelong learning serves as one of the challenges that prevents the integration of educators and leads institutions to have a lack of urgency. The goal of this research is to present lecturers’ perspectives on lifelong learning and to provide an overview of platforms and/or tools they utilize in lifelong learning processes. The results demonstrate that lecturers perceive lifelong learning differently which leads have quandaries in the establishment of the concept in higher education institutions. In this study, the majority of the lecturers in higher education institutions in Tbilisi perceived lifelong learning as continuous education; however, the practices and tools in achieving this mission differed which led to the distinctions in perception and practices. This article will serve as the basis for further research to be carried out on the ways to implement lifelong learning development in educational organizations.
Keywords: lifelong learning; higher education institutions; lecturers’ perceptions
