Coaching for lifelong learning

The nature of learning has changed – learning is no longer seen as preparation for life, but rather as an integral part of it. Learning “is now seen as a key feature of participation in social and economic life… as the conditions in which we live and work are subject to ever more rapid change… We learn not only for the purposes of gaining formal qualifications but also to obtain and keep employment, develop expertise in a leisure activity, deal with changes in relationships or manage personal finances” (Harrison et al., 2002, p.1).

 

Coaching is a vehicle for facilitating and supporting lifelong learning. Coaching creates an environment in which people continually learn and grow, which in turn results in a process of “learning for life” (Hurd, 2004, p. 42) and coaching coaching supports learners in continuing professional development and lifelong learning (Guest, 2006). This is characteristic of learning organizations.

 

Lifelong learning is currently being used to create competitive economic advantage, and coaching is increasingly being recognised as a tool for creating learning organizations. Coaching is an effective vehicle for facilitating lifelong learning, providing ongoing grist for the learning mill. 

 

Reference:

Griffiths, K. (2008). Discovering, applying and integrating self-knowledge: A grounded theory study of learning in life coaching (Ph.D). Centre for Learning Innovation, Queensland University of Technology.

Guest, G. (2006). Lifelong learning for engineers: A global perspective. European Journal of Engineering Education, 31, 273-281.

Harrison, R., Reeve, F., Hanson, A., & Clarke, J. (2002). Perspectives on learning. In R. Harrison, F. Reeve, A. Hanson & J. Clarke (Eds.), Supporting lifelong learning (Vol. 1). London: RoutledgeFalmer. 

Hurd, J. L. (2004). Learning for life: An investigation into the effect of organzational coaching on individual lives. In I. F. Stein & L. A. Belsten (Eds.), Proceedings of the First ICF Coaching Research Symposium (pp. 33-42). Mooresville: Paw Print Press.

 

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