COVID-19 and online adult learning
While adult learning is a vital component of the European Commission’s lifelong strategy, its incidence decreased in 2020 due to the economic impact of Covid-19. A main reason for such decline lies in the disruption of on-the-job training caused by the pandemic. This study, however, shows that increased participation in online learning activities among adults could at least partially compensate for this situation. Using data from the Eurostat's Community survey on ICT usage in households, we find that in most EU countries Covid-19 is associated with a higher proportion of adults taking online courses. Our results indicate also that the increase has been especially pronounced among women, individuals aged 55 to 64, and less educated adults. Enhanced availability and adoption of electronic devices, increased offer of free or low-cost online courses and the labour market effects of Covid-19 are all likely to have contributed to the rise of online adult learning.
DI PIETRO Giorgio;
KARPINSKI Zbigniew;
2021-12-13
Publications Office of the European Union
JRC126993
978-92-76-45989-7 (online),
1831-9424 (online),
EUR 30934 EN,
OP KJ-NA-30934-EN-N (online),
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC126993,
10.2760/886741 (online),
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