Survey

Short Description

The application of the method contributed to the development of an educational program with themes, subtopics, methods and educational tools enhancing the role of third-age people in the civil dialogue process at all levels. It helped the exchange of ideas and knowledge between generations, nations and cultures. The method contributed to improving the social environment in the Danube countries through the organization of continuing education.

Main goals:

To define (through analyses of the organisations, teachers and representatives of the target group) conditions that foster the development of university-based education programmes for the target group of “old adults” as a bridge between universities and NGOs, between science and civil society on the basis of the educational needs of people.

To define the needs of old adults and the offers for Lifelong Learning in the partner universities and to foster the idea of active aging and European identity for old adults in the Danube Region.

Stages:

Stage/Step 1: Deciding on the main changes of the partners’ questionnaire according to the local environment for old adults by joint work of old adults and experts

Stage/Step 2: Selection of 41 old adults for testing

Stage/Step 3: Organizing the event (translation in Bulgarian language, pre-printing and printing the questionnaire)

Stage/Step 4: Conducting the testing

Stage/Step 5: Delivery of statistical and qualitative analysis

Stage/Step 6: Delivery of figures and presentation

Stage/Step 7: Presenting the survey before old adults and experts, and discussing the results

Stage/Step 8: Deciding on the main subject areas of the educational program for old adults in the Ruse region:

Computer and Internet Usage
Healthy Lifestyle
Bulgarian and Foreign Cultural-historical Heritage. Travelling from the Past to the Future
Solidarity between Generations – a Message to the Future

Stage/Step 9: Developing a report, scientific paper and presenting the survey results at a scientific conference

Outputs:

Two books on the DASUN project results in Bulgarian and in English languages developed by the project researcher

A scientific paper developed by the project researcher and presented at a scientific conference

A presentation for the target audience.

Results:

Presented the needs of old adults to the local society and European society.

Decided on the main concept of a university program for future continuing education of old adults in Ruse region.

Initiated and documented the exchange of examples of good practice among the institutions of old adults’ education in the Danube region.

Built a basis for future co-operation and a network of educational institutions and NGOs in the Danube region.

Target group: old adults

Age group: 55+

Gender: mixed

Pedagogical Information

The survey on the needs of old adults in Ruse District had the following characteristics:

the partner’s questionnaire was adapted to the living environment of old adults in Ruse District;
the changes in the questionnaire were negotiated through joint work of old adults and experts
The survey results led to the development of an educational programme with topics, subtopics, methods, and educational tools, programme duration and educators.

The method gives opportunities to seniors and educators to learning much information about the needs, interests, knowledges, skills and competence of learners. It helps educators to develop new educational tools. It also support self-learning process of seniors.

European Dimension

The method gave base information about the characteristics of academic program conceptions for continuing education of seniors as a bridge between science and civil society. The European topics included in the method are: Diversity, Human rights, Social inclusion.

Applied in projects

Danube Seniors’ Universities

The main objective of the initiative is to ensure the strengthening of the role of third age people in the process of civil dialogue on all levels, exchange of ideas and knowledge between the generations, nations and cultures, aiming at improving the regional and local level social environment in the Danube countries by organizing qualified continuing education.