ADULT EDUCATION
4’2021

Abstract. The Covid-19 pandemic has changed almost all aspects of human existence and it is no longer possible to return to the «norm». The impact of the pandemic is particularly pronounced in the field of education, which has undergone the most comprehensive changes and transformations at this time. Approaches, forms, teaching methods and even the educational environment itself have changed. Adult education as a component of the overall holistic system is also influenced by global effects: not only the requirements for learning of adults have changed, but also the conditions to obtain it. The share of online programs and educational offers in the Internet has grown significantly. The pandemic has increased the importance of basic skills and competencies in modern society, including digital literacy, lifelong learning, critical thinking and others. The analysis revealed the potential of online learning in the field of adult education, which is able to respond quickly to societal changes and acquire a qualitatively new format. According to the results of the analysis, five main positive effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on adult education have been identified: 1) a significant increase in the number of adults studying online; 2) improving the digital competencies of adults; 3) the emergence of new educational platforms and the improvement of existing ones; 4) changing the role of the teacher – tutor, coach, mentor, training consultant; 5) equalization of social inequality in society. The available cases for the creation of educational programs have revealed the need to develop high-quality digital content for teachers and students, innovative methods and techniques for working with it in a pandemic.
Keywords: adult education, COVID-19 pandemic, online learning, MOOC platforms, digital content.
https://doi.org/10.32987/2617-8532-2021-4-105-115

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