Implementation of a Multilingual Blended Learning Course for Non-formal and Informal Adult Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Abstract
Due to the COVID19 pandemic, traditional face-to-face learning was replaced by distance education, e-learning, online learning and blended learning at all education levels, including adult education. Learning Management Systems (LMS) are crucial in organising an efficient pedagogical process online and ensuring
that learners attain learning outcomes. The current research, conducted in six EU countries – Croatia, Latvia, Slovenia, Romania, Poland, and Czechia, evaluates the suitability of the LMS to non-formal and informal adult learning for various target groups when face-to-face adult education was restricted. The research involved 638 participants, 209 of them were learners with barriers to learning. The participants studied the blended learning course created for non-formal and informal adult learning and filled in a feedback questionnaire after its acquisition. The results indicate overall learner satisfaction with the LMS and the course delivery, and the suitability of the LMS for regular adult learners and learners with cultural, social, and geographic barriers to learning both for non-formal and informal learning. The LMS is suitable for learners with economic obstacles for non-formal learning. However, learners with learning difficulties require special pedagogical approaches to support them to acquire the course in an online-only blended learning format.
Keywords
blended learning; Learning Management System (LMS); adult learners; learners with barriers; non-formal education; informal learning
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Turiba University, Latvia Latvia
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Professor, Dr.paed., the head of the Language Department of Turiba University, Latvia, an expert in social sciences (economics and business administration, and education sciences) of the Latvian Council of Science, a Link convenor of European Education Research Association (EERA) Network 11 Educational Improvement and Quality Assurance, a member of Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Education and Research Hub for Lifelong Learning Research Network 4 on Lifelong Learning Strategies.
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