New Perspectives in Science Education

For more than a century conventional onsite top down lectures were the “gold standard” in the fields of political and societal adult education at the „Wiener Volkshochschulen“ as well as in other Austrian Adult Education Centres. However, within the last two decades a rapid transformation in teaching and learning methods has occurred. In particular the question of who is an “expert” and who is a “layperson” concerning a particular topic has significantly changed. Many teaching persons now regard themselves in first place as input-givers and moderators, because especially in the field of political and societal education, both learners as well as teaching persons can legitimately claim to be “experts” from different points of view. Instead of classic top down lectures, today the typical political adult education format is an interactive workshop.
Besides new teaching and learning techniques, the range of topics of political adult education has been broadened significantly. Traditionally the main focus of political adult education was on informing learners about the structures of political systems or on contemporary history. Today also topics like basic questions of the fight against climate change and environment protection (f.e. the 17 SDGs) as well as regional and global migration, the transformation of gender identities or the ongoing process of digitalization and its societal consequences have become integral topics of political adult education.
As a result of both new topics and new teaching and learning formats, the participants of our courses and workshops gain empowerment for self-determined political participation within the society.

Keywords: Political Science in Adult Education, Societal Structures in Adult Education, Learning Methods and Techniques, Recent Developments.

References:

• Balázs Németh: Modern Adult Education and Politics (2021).
• Kokolus John: Power, Politics and Adult Educational Administration (2019).
• Die Österreichische Volkshochschule: Demokratiepolitische Bildung (2017).
• Predescu Mihai, Darjan Ioana: Promoting political participation through adult education (2010).