The aim of this short description is
to provide a short insight to a European project trying to develop both
studies and research with professional comparative approaches to adult
and lifelong learning by addressing some specific issues which
influence the quality improvement of adult education provision and
learning opportunities for adults. The core intention of COMPALL is to
formulate specific tools and methods in comparative studies and, at the
same time, provide in-depth analysis of certain issues and trends
influencing adult and lifelong learning across Europe. COMPALL, by
being an European Erasmus+ project, is not just a collaborative action
amongst distinguished higher education institutions, but also, a
particular series of winter school programmes to integrate curriculum
development and effective comparative study-networking of teaching
staff and students. Moreover, it is based on innovative Joint Module
development so as to combine interdisciplinary approaches with good
practices from countries being represented. This overview provides a
glimpse on the project itself.
Aims and objectives of COMPALL
The impact of former professional ALE Projects, like and Comparative Studies Networking in ESREA, ISCAE and ASEM LLL
Background
When the Adult Education Department of the University of Würzburg,
Germany decided to move further along in the professional development
of comparative studies in adult and lifelong learning the Department
had already gathered partners from key universities having been engaged
in activities and programmes focusing on innovations in studies and
research of adult and lifelong learning. Most partners have
participated EU-funded quality projects, like Erasmus EMAE (European
Studies in the Adult Education), Grundtvig TEACH (Teaching Adult
Educators in Continuing and higher Education), Erasmus+ ESRALE
(European Studies and Research in Adult Learning and Education) and
several other comparative surveys for the European Commission in
between 2007 and 2012 on quality, financing and the roles of higher
education institutions in the development of adult learning. The impact
of participation in comparative researches and discourses over
international comparative work in ESREA networks (European Society for
the Research in the Education of Adults), in ISCAE (International
Society for Comparative Adult Education) and in ASEM LLL (The LLL Hub
for Asia and Europe Meeting and its thematic conferences and
publications).
International Arena for Comparative Work
Another impact have been the regular consultancies, collaborative
actions with UIL (UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning), with OECD
CERI (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and its
Centre for Educational Research and Innovation), with EAEA (European
Association for the Education of Adults) and with particular national
institutes of adult education, like NIACE (British National Institute
for Adult and Continuing Education, now turned into a new flagship
institute for employment, called Learning and Work), DIE-Bonn (the
German Institute for Adult Education and its Leibniz Centre for
Research), SIAE (The Slovenian Institute for Adult Education)
Winter School base for comparative studies at the University of Würzburg
Prof. Regina Egetenmeyer, a former colleague of Prof. Ekkehard Nuissl
as ex-director of DIE-Bonn and professor of adult learning and
education until 2013 at the University of Duisburg-Essen, started to
organise winter schools on adult and lifelong learning from 2013 and
onwards. The positive impacts of the winter school series and
participating academic researchers from various European universities
urged Prof. Egetenmeyer and her team to improve the network around
comparative studies and research to realise a deeper focus on four
identical dimensions as planned products in the COMPALL project which
was handed in for decision to the European Commission by early 2015.
When the decision was made and COMPALL received a green light, the
seven university partners had already planned for a quality start at
the end of 2015 and started their preparations for the first COMPALL
Winter School for February 2016.
Aims and objectives of COMPALL project
The orientations and focus of COMPALL has been to improve joint
curricula-based modular structures by establishing a so-called Joint
Module in adult and lifelong learning embedded into the Winter School
structure itself which usually lasts for a fortnight. This Joint
Module will have a preparatory phase with subject-based on-line
tutorials, preparations with leaders of Comparative Working Groups
investigating formerly advertised issues and trends as topics in adult
and lifelong learning. Another key product of COMPALL is the winter
shool which is the two-weeks long intensive study format which is
structured into two parts, the first one to get participating students
focus on adult learning policies in Europe, and the second one to join
one Comparative Working Group by each student to present their
country-specific findings they had prepared for presenting in front of
other members of their Working Groups. Finally, students and the
teaching staff of the COMPALL Winter School are supported by a
professional on-line network, based in LinkedIN. Quality presentations
from Doctoral students are planned to be published upon selection in
the Peter LANG Series on Adult and Lifelong Learning with an
international focus. Erasmus+ COMPALL has structured its claimed
products into so-called intellectual outputs (IOSs)
COMPALL Joint Module
The Strategic Partnership had been designed to develop a Joint Module
on Comparative Studies in Adult and Lifelong Learning (COMPALL). For
that purpose, a didactic concept for a joint blended‐learning module is
developed and implemented at all partner Universities.
The COMPALL Joint Module starts each year with registration of MA and
Doctorare (PhD) students by the end of October. This is followed by
on-campus preparation by partner universities and on-line preparation
(especially with students outside the partner universities). Each
participant submits a transnational essay on a selected aspect of adult
education and lifelong learning by mid-January. All participants meet
in February for a two-weeks intensive programme at the Würzburg Winter
School.
The process, therefore, includes an on-line registration, an on-line
and on-campus preparation, submission of a transnational essay and,
finally, active participation at the COMPALL winter School.
The COMPALL Winter School is an intensive study programme having two parts:
- A focus of lectures and discussion around European and
international policies in adult education and lifelong learning with
field visits to adult and continuing education providers in Germany;
- Intensive Comparison of selected issues in adult education and
lifelong learning (for topics students are provided with annual
booklets they can make their decision which Comparative Working Group
to follow!): introduction is followed by the development of research
categories and finally individual analysis and country-specific
presentation at the Winter School.
The Joint Module generally focuses on participants’ home countries, on
the development of analytical and comparative competencies and on
professional language use and the development of professional
networking competencies. Lifelong learning strategies in Europe will be
critically analysed, based on social policy models, including an
in-depth look at selected European countries. Furthermore, subtopics of
lifelong learning will be chosen for an in‐depth comparison of the
situation in various European countries.
The
Joint Module has the following didactical structure:
a) Joint on-line sessions to introduce students to the analytical model
b) Supplementary tutorials at all partner universities
c) On-line supervision for preparing individual country reports
d) Joint intensive phase at the Würzburg campus (Germany)
e) Preparation of a comparative research paper (supervised).
The joint module is focused on advanced master’s students and early
doctoral students in disciplines that explore questions in adult and
lifelong learning. Thereby, it targets prospective educational
professionals in adult and lifelong learning.
Joint Module Structure
Based on the interdisciplinary expertise of the partners, the Strategic
Partnership develops and implements a joint module on comparative
studies in adult and lifelong learning.
- IO1: Joint‐module methodology: didactic basis for the joint module.
- IO2: Online tutorial: didactic preparatory phase to support
universities introducing students to comparative studies in adult and
lifelong learning.
- IO3: Professional online network: for a long-term internationalization and networking among participants
- IO4: Comparative analysis: insight into the diverse and
transnational nature of adult and lifelong learning in Europe and
beyond.
Public Multiplier Events
COMPALL is offering annual public events. International experts in
adult and lifelong learning are invited to discuss COMPALL results with
a wider audience at special formations:
- Intensive Workshop: Comparative skills in adult and lifelong learning (11-12. February, 2016)
- International Seminar: Joint Module in comparative studies in adult and lifelong learning (16-18. February, 2017)
- Transnational conference: Comparative analysis in adult and lifelong learning (15-17. February, 2018.)
Professional On-line Network
COMPALL is developing a professional on-line network which allows
networking between young graduates and researchers in adult and lifelog
learning. LinkedIN facilitates interaction with fellow students, the
investigation of academics and professional profiles, and the
establishment of best partners for the transnational studies and
research. In a public network, current international study and research
opportunities in adult and lifelong learning is also disseminated. The
COMPALL Network also allows publication of international vacancies.
Be part of our community: www.linkedincom/groups/8445381
From Teaching to Research
COMPALL is offering doctoral students the exclusive chance to pursue
their comparative work commenced during the Winter School. Guided by
the International experts, the results will be published in a volume
edited internationally and published by Peter LANG
Expected Impacts
Systematic integration of European policies and comparative studies
into study programmes in adult education and lifelong learning
- Raising mobility among former participants of the joint module;
- European usage of Intellectual Outputs beyond the partnership;
- Strengthening European perspectives in individual study pathways
