Abstract:

The main resource for the development of society is educated citizens. At the same time, Russian researchers record a low level of involvement of Russians in lifelong learning. This trend is especially typical for older people. Our research confirmed this. Only about 50% of the older people we surveyed said they were ready to improve their level of education. Those who have studied something in the last year turned out to be even less – about 30%. The solution of this problem actualizes the need to form positive attitudes towards education among older citizens.

The purpose of the article is to analyse the opportunities and ways to popularization education among older people. The objectives of the research are:
1) to study the directions of activities for the popularization of «silver» education;
2) to identify social actors interested in the popularization of «silver» education;
3) to consider social technologies for the popularization of «silver» education.

The empirical basis of the article was the results of a sociological survey conducted in the Sverdlovsk region (December 2019 - January 2020). The mass survey was attended by citizens over 45 years old (n = 512). In addition, the author summarized the positive practices of learning older people.

The article shows that the popularization of education among older people should be carried out in two line. The first line is directly related to the formation of positive attitudes to education of older people. Its results will be the idea that learning at an older age:
1) it is possible and useful;
2) it is not limited to formal education;
3) it can be implemented using various pedagogical and information technologies.

The second line is focused on forming among Russians of different ages a positive image of old age and an older people who is studying.

It is emphasized that the effectiveness of popularization education among older people depends on the interest and coordinated actions of a wide range of subjects: government authorities, business, the public and older people themselves.

The author considers various social technologies for popularizing education among older Russians: media and advertising, economic, artistic and aesthetic. Attention is focused on the use of such a method as informing about successful learning practices of older people.

It is concluded that the popularization of education among older people is an important factor in the development of the system of lifelong learning in Russia.

Keywords:

Older people, lifelong learning, popularization of education, social technologies for the popularization of «silver» education.