The EEHLSe (European Elderly Home Learning Service) proposal is based on widely accepted and reported Europe-wide analysis about (missing) learning opportunities for elderly and its consequences. All steps to overcome this miserable situation can clearly be derived by logical and empirical evidence. The first analysis element: European elderly are, in their majority, excluded from continuous learning. Whilst all other citizens, starting from one year of age, have a guaranteed life accompanying education and training offer, the after retirement population does not have this. All reliable offer ends in a moment where people have, in average, to expect some more 20 or 30 years of life. This is known and discussed Europe-wide since many years and no solution was found so far. This proposal claims to enter a new phase of elderly (online) learning and to show a way to overcome the entirely unsatisfying current situation. The second element of analysis concerns learning of elderly: It is evident that, in a rapidly changing world, life without learning leads to a couple of unpleasant effects for the individual and for the society, just to name some: reduced autonomy, increasing dependency from others, less integration, social isolation, segregation of generations, reduced satisfaction of life, more fragile health… Every reported effect could be underlined with empirical data, is on the other hand self-evident. The consortium will compile all elements which are needed to provide in principle every elderly in Europe, independent of her/his geographical situation, mobility, availability of time and daily rhythm, with a reliable learning offer with courses which are relevant for them and where they contribute according to their competences, within ten years’ time. EEHLSe will model and empirically validate this risky promise. The partnership consists of five experienced elderly learning institutions from France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Spain, countries with very scarcely populated regions. They will be ideal test beds for the EEHL Service to be established. The impact is very clear. Elderly in Europe will have, on the long run, a reliable learning offer equivalent to the other ages, not based on their random living conditions but based on a sustainable service. This will lead to a more participating, involved, included, and healthy generation of elderly.
Our society is getting older and the group of over 55-year-olds is growing strongly. At the same time, higher life expectancy and often good health conditions ensure that many older people actively participate in society and are motivated to gain new knowledge. Lifelong learning is becoming more important in this context and seniors are increasingly seen as lifelong learners, too. Also, they are the most recent public involved in e-learning. The fact that they can attend classes from home is a major advantage for some of them, especially for those with reduced mobility and from rural areas. Also, taking classes in a domestic environment allows them to choose a learning environment which might be less stressful in some cases. Interested persons can learn systematically and at their own learning pace. Other aspects such as physical impairments or different levels of pre-knowledge can be balanced by online courses. Therefore, e-learning presents a successful and well suitable solution for many senior citizens. In order to support active aging and to improve and expand (digital) learning opportunities for older adults, within the project EHLSSA e-learning offers for older adults were developed. In total, the partnership developed four comprehensive online courses and translated them to English, Finnish, German, French, and Spanish. The courses are about the following topics: "Dealing with computers and the Internet (for beginners)", "Training for E-Tutors", "Culture in Europe", and "Health and Well-being". The courses were provided on a learning platform specially adapted to needs and requirements of older adults. Within EHLSSA the courses were tested, implementend and evaluated in all partner countries with a total of 713 participants. Given feedback was analysed and compiled in quality guidelines for development of e-learning offers for older adults. In the framework of EHLSSA, 12 both national and international multiplier events took place. More than 150 persons coming from education sector or senior domains participated in the events and got information on the developed online courses and further products which were produced within the project. Multiplier events turned out to be one main opportunity to disseminate information on EHLSSA and establish long-term relationships with the target group. The consortium was also very successful in disseminating project results at events worldwide - in total, at more than 60 events EHLSSA was presented and information distributed. One of the main strenghts of the project was the constellation of partnership. All partners - representing both public and private institutions - have long experience in continuing education in the third age and are involved in national and international networks for older adults. Also because of the rather small partnership consisting of five organizations, intensive work on high quality products could be realized. One main aim of EHLSSA is the sustainable use of the project platform and the developed e-learning courses. Reinforced by the highly positive feedback from course participants, all partners will continue offering the online courses to older adults and even expand the range of course provision to further regions and other groups of people, i.e. immigrants and people with disabilities. In order to strengthen sustainability, all partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding in which the future use of produced material is agreed on and the wish to further cooperation is expressed. Partners declared themselves as being a central point for information in their countries regarding further education for older adults and as a contact point for organizations or individuals interested in offering or rather participating in an online course.