Author: Shigeyuki Karino
Affiliation: Kyushu Sangyo University
Country: Japan
Title: Lifelong Astronomy Education – Astronomy for the seniors, by the seniors
Astronomical education for senior citizens is important from the social sciences side: for example, it is known that lifelong education is effective in protecting old people from isolation and enhance their quality of life. Hence if lifelong education for senior citizens can be enriched in fields with high social interest like astronomy, a major contribution will be made in this regard.
On the other hand, however, there are also unique difficulties in the astronomy education for seniors.
As we get older there is serious physical declines, including the decline of the eyesight and hearing.
Furthermore, the astronomical knowledge that the seniors studied in their school education is rather out of date.
The preconceptions based on old knowledge may hinder the understanding of modern astronomy.
In the future, with the gain of the average life expectancy, the elderly population will increase rapidly, especially in developed countries.
In addition, the average age of communicators and educators will be also much higher.
In preparation for the future, it will be necessary to discuss methods for safely and effectively performing astronomical education for the senior citizens organized by the senior communicators.
In this presentation, we would like to introduce some tips for discussion based on the results of previous questionnaires.
References:
[1]:the web-pages of Statistics Bureau of Japan, http://www.stat.go.jp/english/index.html
[2]:”What Is Inside the Earth?- Childrenfs and Senior Citizensf Conceptions and the Need for a Lifelong Education”, A. Cardoso, T. Ribeiro & C. Vasconcelos,
Science and Education, vol.27, p.715, 2018
[3]:”Civic learning and action among older citizens”, D. L. Boggs, International Review of Education, vol. 38, p.393, 1992