e-Learning for Lifelong Learning in Denmark

Thailand can be interpreted as a vehicle to achieve the objectives of developing human
capital and a knowledge-based economy. Unlike Malaysia, there is no mention of
improving individuals’ quality of life and employability.
The European Commission defines lifelong learning as “all learning activity undertaken
throughout life, with the aim of improving knowledge, skills and competence, within
a personal, civic, social and employment perspective”. It can be assumed that
Denmark and Slovakia, both members of the EU, are agreeable to this definition.
Lifelong learning in Denmark covers “all phases and forms of learning from pre-school
to post-retirement, in the support of the objectives of personal fulfilment, active citizenship,
social inclusion and employability, improving knowledge, skills and competence”.
Hence, the idea of lifelong learning in Denmark appears very similar to that of
Malaysia. However, the striking difference is that the Danish concept also stresses
on the role of active citizenship which is conspicuously absent in the lifelong learning
concepts of Malaysia and Thailand.
In Slovakia, the development of lifelong learning is influenced among others, by
the “establishment of conditions for equal and constant access of citizens to acquire new
and renewed skills which are necessary for participation in a knowledge-based society”.
More importantly, the development of lifelong learning is influenced by the country’s
policy to encourage and assist mobility of its citizens within the EU in search of
jobs and education.
2.2 Concept of e-Learning
Among the six nations, South Korea stands unique in its effort to formulate the
concept of e-Learning. Thus, e-Learning in South Korea is mainly discussed in the
context of educational technology instead of learning per se. Therefore, its concern
is technology-oriented; for example, it is concerned with “how to design e-Learning
12 e-ASEM White Paper : e-Learning for Lifelong Learning