Lifelong Learning Competences in Context of Knowledge-based Economy

Abstract

The article focuses on distinguishing the essential characteristics of lifelong learning in contrast to traditional learning. The key competences that are needed to form the knowledge-based economy have been determined and characterized. The society that thrives to educate its members in innovative ways on a constant basis should create corresponding circumstances for lifelong learning. Effective learning environments should be learner centered, knowledge rich, assessment driven, and community connected. In order to make the participants of the process successful learners the society has to give them the series of necessary competences, mastering which leads to the total mental and behavioral personality transformations. Among the competences that need to be attained the importance of the following ones has been emphasized: communication in the mother tongue; communication in foreign languages; mathematical competence and basic competences in science and technology; digital competence; learning to learn; social and civic competences; sense of initiative and entrepreneurship; cultural awareness and expression. The key competences have been considered as equally important, each of them contributing to a successful life in a knowledge-based society. Many of the competences have been proved to be interrelated: the aspects essential to one domain will support competence in another. Competence in the fundamental basic skills of language, literacy, numeracy and in information and communication technologies is seen as an essential foundation for learning, and learning to learn supports all learning activities. A number of key skills have been also mentioned, such as critical thinking, creativity, initiative, problem-solving, risk assessment, decision-taking, and constructive management of feelings.