NON-FORMAL EDUCATION AND E-LEARNING: LESSONS LEARNED FROM LIFELONG PROGRAMS IN GREECE

In the field of lifelong learning in Greece, academic institutions have come to play an increasingly important role. One such institution is the University of the Aegean (UoA), which, during the last few years, has been offering new and innovative curricula for lifelong learning through e-Learning, both for the general population and for targeted professional groups, such as K-12 teachers. In this article we present the mode of organization and functioning of the lifelong learning program of UoA, its technological and pedagogical framework, and the evaluation of key dimensions of the program by the participating students, dimensions such as organization, instructional design, mode of participation, pedagogical models, technological infrastructure, modes of communication and educational processes used. The aim is to draw some conclusions which may be taken into account in the design of similar programs, so as to better meet the educational needs of the participants of lifelong learning through e-learning programs by improving the quality and effectiveness of the educational process.