Obstacles that lecturers face in non-formal or informal learning

Abstract

Today's challenges to the education system raise high requirements for lecturers. The focus is not only on motivation and an innovative approach to various activities but also on personal qualities and a constant desire for improvement. In addition to being professionals in their field with keen scientific interest, lecturers also have to be able to pass on their knowledge to the younger generation. The specific features of this profession are unique because the representatives of this field have more autonomy when compared to other specialists in educational institutions. In other words, they can make independent decisions in professional activities as well as in their careers. Lecturers have a possibility to decide how much energy, time or effort will be spent on one or another activity as well as how much attention will be paid to their professional development. As a result, up to now, this development is usually left to lecturer‟s own responsibility. The aim of the study discussed in this article is to analyse what kind of obstacles lecturers face in meeting today's educational system requirements to improve their knowledge and personal skills in non-formal or informal ways.