At the end of October, the SIAE published the long-awaited professional monograph Temelji andragogike: teoretični in praktični vidiki izobraževanja odraslih (Foundations of Andragogy: Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Adult Education). Established experts in adult education and numerous practitioners, who contributed real-life accounts, participated in its preparation.
The work offers a comprehensive insight into the development of andragogy in Slovenia. It treats adult education as a complex and essential field playing an increasingly significant role in contemporary society. It covers the historical development of the discipline in Slovenia and worldwide, the foundations of adult‑education identity, and the characteristics of adult learners, including their motives, barriers, and strategies for overcoming them.
What the monograph offers
- Professional contributions by recognised experts in the field of adult education.
- Theoretical foundations and practical aspects of adult education.
- A structure that follows the andragogical cycle – from identifying needs and planning programmes to implementation, monitoring and evaluation of learning processes.
- Particular attention to the role of adult educators, their professional identity and the importance of guidance and motivational support for adults in learning
- Real-world case studies that enrich the theoretical discussion and offer insight into concrete adult‑education experiences.
Alongside 16 professional contributions, the monograph is further enriched and interwoven with 36 real-life and reflective stories by practitioners – teachers, organisers, counsellors in adult education, and other adult-education professionals.
The stories in the monograph illustrate the challenges and successes of andragogical work and, at the same time, confirm the importance of andragogy as a profession that requires sensitivity, creativity and a deep understanding of the adult as a whole person.
The publication is intended for all who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of andragogy and contribute to the professionalisation of adult-education practice. It provides a valuable starting point for students, practitioners, researchers and policy-makers. By including diverse perspectives, experiences and scientific viewpoints, it offers a rich collection of knowledge and reflections. These can serve as a foundation for educating future andragogues and as professional support for those already working in the field. Reviewer Dr Robi Kroflič notes, in particular, that some chapters are also relevant to the pedagogical field, as contemporary approaches to the learning of children and adults are increasingly converging.
In memoriam
A special section of the monograph is dedicated to the memory of Dr Sabina Jelenc Krašovec. She was an exceptional Slovenian andragogue who made a significant contribution to the development of the discipline through her research, professional commitment and the translation of ideas and findings into practice. The foundations she helped lay remain an integral part of our shared professional journey today.
The monograph has been published as part of the project Strengthening Lifelong Learning (2023–2029), co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia, the Ministry of Education and the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).
Access to the publication
The electronic edition (in Slovenian) is available in the SIAE Digital Reading Room.
Jasmina Orešnik Cunja (jasmina.oresnik.cunja@acs.si), SIAE