Abstract:

Due to intense demographical processes, longevity is more and more often studied by researchers from different fields of science. World’s senior citizens are medical, psychological and social phenomenon, but longevity is rarely associated with learning.

Nonetheless, lifelong learning and cognitive activity is one of the key factors that determine positive ageing. The oldest seniors willingly cultivate their interests and passions, and are active in the area of non-formal education.

Informal education can be called “learning by practice” or experiential learning, and it is a lifelong process. It involves developing attitudes, values, skills and knowledge based on different experiences, educational impact of environment (family, local community, different institutions) and influence of mass media.

This paper presents the importance of informal learning in late old age. It aims at describing individual educational experience and activity in the area of informal learning. The story of a 106 year old man, an amateur painter, is analyzed. The method used is case study and document analysis.

The results show that educational activity of the oldest seniors enables them to develop their passions and is important element of social inclusion as well as factor contributing to positive ageing.

Keywords:

Lifelong learning, informal learning, longevity, centenarians, learning by doing and experiential learning.