Work is most often the main activity, a source of life experiences and a motivation to learn by adults. Therefore, it has special educational values. However, the so far research on the educational meaning of work has been carried out based on its traditional (stationary/on-site) model, which two years ago was common and obvious. Currently, due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the situation has changed. The stationary/on-site work model has been combined with the remote/online one, resulting in an attractive hybrid work model.
Dr Marcin Rojek has been interested in adult education since his student days. He consciously chose the field of study related to this subject:
I have already analysed adult education using the example of intergenerational teacher learning as part of my doctoral dissertation, and I intend to continue research in this area in the future. It is especially fascinating for me to explore the secrets beyond formal education of adults, i.e., the lifelong process of developing knowledge, skills and competences based on life experiences and the influence of the environment, for example family, friends, media or the work environment. It is in these areas that we can look for an answer to the question of how we know what we have not learned at school. It is something much deeper than the question about knowledge, rather about what we are like, what shapes us, how we behave as members of a society.
The pandemic and what we already know
Dr Marcin Rojek explains:
By analysing the literature on the subject and conducting a diagnostic survey, I want to check whether the results of the research conducted so far on the educational meaning of work can be fully applied to its hybrid model.
In the stationary/on-site model, the workplace was an important point of reference, because it shaped employee relations and it was largely responsible for the image and success of the company. Currently, the workplace has partially moved into the virtual world, i.e., an artificially created intangible reality. Relationships were reduced to exchanging ideas in a chat or presentations during virtual meetings. Thus, messages are reduced and information is kept to a minimum. It feeds our imagination, it changes our perception of reality and our role in it.
The main goal of the project is to obtain knowledge about the regularities concerning learning of adults in the hybrid model of work, in particular about the possibilities, methods, subject, effects and functions of such learning. The research presents a new approach to the problem in the sense that the educational meaning of work will be explained precisely using the example of its hybrid model, and not as before – using the example of a stationary/on-site work model, which possibly took into account the presence of modern communication technologies
– adds the Assistant Professor.
Hybrid work model is the future
The hybrid model of work is becoming a global and irreversible phenomenon because it combines requirements of employers and expectations of employees. Research conducted in the European Union shows that three-quarters of employees expect that when the pandemic is over, employers will continue to offer them the opportunity to work in a hybrid model. Such a model is also good for the environment. Thanks to it, in the European Union alone, tens of millions of people do not have to commute to work every day. Assuming that their commuting would most often take place by cars or even by airplanes, working from home means a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.
Dr Marcin Rojek explains:
By working in a hybrid model, we give space to the nature that takes advantage of it. For example, water in the canals of Venice has regained its crystalline clarity, and in India, an animal long considered to be extinct was observed on the street of one of the cities. This allows us to assume that the international trend of research on the issues of educational aspects of work in the hybrid work model will continue to expand.
And he concludes:
During the project, I would like to develop a standardised questionnaire to diagnose the educational potential of a hybrid work environment. All researchers interested in this issue will be able to use it. On the other hand, the results of my research can be used by scientists for comparative purposes and by employers, business trainers, coaches and the people who work in the hybrid model themselves. The results can help to introduce such modifications in the hybrid work model that will help employees learn to use remote work tools faster and find themselves better in this new professional situation, but also - I hope - they will help them enjoy working in this model and develop professionally in it.
UL IDUB GRANTS
The UL Excellence Initiative - Research University – grant competitions under which the University of Lodz funds research ideas of its scientists and doctoral students. By supporting them in conducting high quality research, the university implements a strategy of striving for research excellence in all fields and disciplines. The competitions also serve the purpose of internationalisation – developing and strengthening the University's cooperation with international researchers. As part of grants addressed to scientists from outside the University, experienced and young researchers join the team of the University of Lodz. This favours the fusion of experiences and increasing the University's scientific potential, supports networking and employee mobility.
The grants are financed as part of the subsidy increased by 2% for universities that joined the IDUB competition in 2019. University of Lodz will receive additional funding for research until 2026. Internal grant competitions have been implemented since 2020.
Currently, in the 2nd edition, over PLN 3 million was used to finance young, experienced researchers and doctoral students in such grant competitions as: UL IDUB "Grants for young and experienced researchers" and "Doctoral research grants".
Source: dr Marcin Rojek, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Lodz
Edit: Promotion Centre of the University of Lodz