The Master's thesis focuses on the field of research of non-formal education of older adults, with an emphasis on mentoring. The purpose is to analyse the mentoring on the example of the University of the Third Age in Škofja Loka. We were determining the mentors' motivation for working with older adults, the mentors’ qualifications for working with them, how they are preparing for their educational activity and how they perform it, as well as the roles in which they find themselves during the process of mentoring. Special attention was also given to the specifics of executing activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The framework of our research consists of education of the older adults and mentoring, so the theoretical part presents who the older adults are and the characteristics of their education, the beginnings of education of the older adults in Slovenia, Slovenian Third Age University and the University of the Third Age in Škofja Loka. The concept of mentoring is also defined. The empirical part, which followed the paradigm of qualitative methodology, presents the example and analysis of data obtained through interviews with mentors from the Society U3 Škofja Loka, which we further expanded with an interview with the president of the Society, and with an observation. The research found mentors are motivated to educate the older adults, they are pleased to work with them and they are constantly expanding their knowledge. They are continually preparing for their work in study circles, switching between roles during work and taking care of perpetual evaluation of the study circles' participants' knowledge. Despite challenges and certain adjustments, the study circles continued to be performed even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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