location: nan, 'Thailand 
year: 2011 source: HSRI 
title: Education and Lifelong Learning of Thai Senior Citizens 
abstract:The research study on “Education and Lifelong Learning of Thai Senior Citizens” is a mixed-method research. The study aims to: 1) study the overview of lifelong education management for senior citizens that includes objectives of lifelong education management, characteristics of targeted senior citizens, curriculums and content, education facilitators and instructors, education management methods, education media and learning resources, assessment methods, management and the results of education management; 2) explore demand for lifelong learning among the senior citizens also in terms of objectives of lifelong education management, characteristics of targeted senior citizens, curriculums and content, education facilitators and instructors, education management methods, education media and learning resources, assessment methods, management and the results of education management; and 3) study a scenario of education and lifelong learning management for Thai senior citizens. Finally, two different research instruments were questionnaires and group discussions.
The research findings can be summarized below:
1. Overview of lifelong education management for Thai senior citizens: The lifelong education management for senior citizens was designed mainly to maintain healthful conditions for the senior citizens aged between 60 and 64 years old. The education facilitators and instructors include local public health officers who conduct short-term training sessions where personnel media acts as the main education media as well as learning sources. The results of this education management can be assessed by means of observation. In 2010, various organizations organized a maximum of one to three projects aimed at educating the senior citizens.
	2. Demand for lifelong learning among Thai senior citizens: Similar to the aforementioned issue, the lifelong learning activities for senior citizens are also aimed at taking care of the senior citizens aged between 60-64 years old. The education facilitators or instructors are wisdom teachers or knowledgeable individuals in the communities. The leaning is also seen in a form of shot-term training sessions. The most popular education media and learning resource is personnel media.  Meanwhile, the results are assessed by the observation of the actual progress. Finally, various geriatric clubs expect to form partnership and collaboration in managing lifelong education. 
	3. A scenario of education and lifelong learning management for Thai senior citizens: The major objective of the education and lifelong learning management for Thai senior citizens is to help senior citizens stay so healthy that they enjoy solid relationship with their families and are able to happily adapt themselves to the communities and society. With their healthful conditions, they are also able to participate in all activities available in the society. The education and lifelong learning is managed for Thai senior citizens in a form of the edutainment, in which the learning at the formal education system, non-formal education system and the information education system is very well integrated. Groups of senior citizen leaders are formed up and act as leaders encouraging the other fellows to participate in the learning activities which are designed mainly for two major target groups, namely a self-reliant group and a non self-reliant group. The content for the learning should suit the demand of the senior citizens as well as their abilities to learning.  Further, the content should be applied to their daily lives. Generally, the content of knowledge is divided into five aspects- sanitary, adaption to society and metal states, economy and saving, learning and the legal rights of senior citizens. There are many ways to manage the education and lifelong learning for senior citizens.  The education managers or facilitators should motivate the senior citizens to learn. In so doing, they may promote the learning activities as well as convincing senior citizens of the benefits they will gain from the learning activities. The education facilitators and instructors should ideally be those who work on geriatric development in the localities. The learning activities should vary and are organized for multi-age learners. The activities should allow learners to discuss and exchange knowledge in casual ways. Education media as well as learning resources should pay a key role in the management of education and lifelong learning for individual senior citizens. The results of the learning can be assessed by observation of the real progress of the learners. Finally, in managing education and lifelong learning for senior citizens, involved parties should also apply a partnership approach where all parties join hand to manage the learning, offer some financial aids as well as managing all resources available in the communities.