Flexible Studies as Strategy for Lifelong Learning

Abstract

Many countries face a challenge in recruiting teachers. At the same time, the labour market is changing and the demand for re-education is increasing. In this situation, lifelong learning is seen as relevant and higher education institutions are asked to offer flexible and decentralised study programmes in order to accommodate the need for formal education for adults. High dropout rates, partly explained by a diverse student body with little time for study, aggravate the situation. Progress might be influenced by how the study programme is organised. In this quantitative study among 511 student teachers, we examine whether there are differences between students attending differently organised studies. The findings indicate that flexible and campus-based study programmes attract students with different characteristics. In a lifelong learning perspective, it looks to be a promising strategy to offer flexibly organised studies to meet the demands of an increasingly diverse student body.