This book critically assesses the learning that is required and provided within a learning society and gives a detailed sociological analysis of the emerging role of lifelong learning with examples from around the globe. Divided into three clear parts the book:

• looks at the development of the knowledge economy
• provides a critique of lifelong learning and the learning society
• focuses on the changing nature of research in the learning society.
  

The author, well-known and highly respected in this field, examines how lifelong learning and the learning society have become social phenomena across the globe. He argues that the driving forces of globalisation are radically changing lifelong learning and shows that adult education/learning only gained mainstream status because of these global changes and as learning became more work orientated.

Professor Peter Jarvis is an internationally renowned expert in the field of adult learning and continuing education. He is Professor of Continuing Education at the University of Surrey, UK, and honorary Adjunct Professor in Adult Education at the University of Georgia, USA.

Part 1: The Development of the Knowledge Economy 1. Globalisation 2. The Information and Knowledge Society Part 2: The Lifelong Learning and Learning Society 3. The Learning Society 4. Lifelong Learning 5. The Learning Organisation 6. The Learning City 7. Learning at a Distance 8. Providers of Learning Opportunities Part 3: Research and Lifelong learning 9. The Changing Nature of Research 10. Research as a Learning Process