Insights Learned from the article "Who is a Lifelong Learner?"

Who is a Lifelong Learner?

by C. Medel-Anoṅuevo, et al. (2001)*

This article presents a new view of learners as lifelong learners who are individuals actively involved in the learning process, and capable of indulging into creative ways of accumulating learning throughout life. 

A lifelong learner is characterized as an active and creative explorer of the world. His/her interplay between him/her and his/her environment can create a lifelong learning experience. Another characteristic is being a reflexive agent. He/She must be exposed to problem solving activities so that he/she will be able to reflect about his/her environment, own performance, and actions for better learning. Being a self-actualizing agent is also a characteristic of a lifelong learner. As a teacher, I realized I must be able to help learners discover their forte, maximize it and make use of it for their betterment and the world. A lifelong learner is also an integrator of learning. He/She must be able to integrate his/her thinking, feeling and action.

There can be challenges faced by the education sector in line with lifelong learning. However, while the learners are still in the basic education, they must be trained to learn how to learn, to be independent learners, to interact with their environment including culture, to make sense of the world, to discover their talents and reach their highest potentials.

As a teacher, I must continually improve myself by learning day to day from my experiences. I must be willing to learn for continuous personal and professional advancement. I must always create a space for new insights and competence. I must be willing to learn, unlearn and relearn. 

In this view, I will be able to produce learners who will value lifelong learning also.

*cited in SEAMEO GURO21 Required Readings Module