Pre-service Teachers’ Views on Lifelong Learning and Adult Education Course

In the 21st century, it is necessary to raise awareness of lifelong learning and adult education in order to prepare young generations for life and fulfill their lifelong developmental needs in personal, social, and psychological areas. On the basis of these considerations, Turkish Council of Higher Education has created a professional knowledge elective course titled Adult Education and Lifelong Learning in the updated undergraduate curriculum prepared for the faculties of education. The aim of this study is to determine the views of pre-service teachers about the particular course. Within the scope of the qualitative research, the views of 222 pre-service teachers from different departments of Pamukkale University Faculty of Education were collected by the means written open-ended questions. The data were analyzed by content analysis and the themes were reached. Findings revealed that most of the pre-service teachers were not aware of this course. In addition to this, participants expressed their reasoning for the necessity, the reasons to select, and their expectations from the course individual, social and professional levels. Results were interpreted in accordance with the contemporary literature followed by the theoretical and practical implications