This Master's thesis explores the field of informal learning among older adults in a selected rural area. Many authors have pointed out that older adults from rural areas are more likely to engage in informal learning, as there is usually a lack of appropriate educational programmes that meet the needs and aspirations of older adults in such areas. The theoretical part defines the concepts of older adults, older adult learning, informal learning and a description of the selected rural area. I also refer to research that has shown that the characteristics of the living environment and social networks are linked to individuals' learning activity.
In the empirical part of the thesis, I present a qualitative study within which I conducted eight semi-structured interviews with older adults from a rural area. The aim of the research was to find out how older adults from a rural area learn through informal learning and whether their learning activity is influenced by the characteristics of their living environment and social networks. Through the analysis of the data, I found out that older adults in rural area still engage a lot of informal learning, regarding of their age. People who are engaged in agricultural activities at home are not involved in the activities taking place in the local community, but regardless of this, they acquire informal knowledge through a variety of sources such as radio, television, magazines, newspapers or conversations with others. The interviewees are most interested in areas that are connected with everyday life.
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