Older people's transformative learning in a project group

Abstract

A project group could be a foundation for a group members' transformative learning as older people in a project group foster learning, researching and acting publicly through cooperation. We see transformative learning as a key part of lifelong learning of older people because it does not only increase knowledge but also increases awareness of oneself and the local community. Transformative learning, however, may be seen as a way to help adults make sense of their experiences and make meaning of. In the article we will introduce theories of transformative learning, situated learning and biographical learning. Furthermore, we will think about the concept of ageing in place and examine the concept of inclusion of older people into society. The empirical part of the project explores the process of learning and education of older people through their active involvement into a project group of the international project Personal Town Tours. We found that participation in the project's activities and research of the city of Ljubljana are an incentive for transformative learning through place attachment.