Lifelong Learning (LLL) is critical for engaged citizens of the modern knowledge economy. Development of such generic or key competencies should be integrated throughout curricula along with specific competencies in the disciplines such as engineering. This is a common educational goal in higher education in the USA and in Europe inside the Bologna Process. To enhance the capability of students to articulate their lifelong learning competencies, we developed a "Lifelong Learning Competencies for Engineers" program. This was presented as a workshop in a senior design course at the University of San Diego. The workshop includes presentations on lifelong learning competencies and specific recommendations for engineers as well as an active learning exercise that helps students recognize their lifelong learning competence developed throughout their undergraduate career. After the workshop, the students improved their awareness of the importance of LLL for their future careers. Since lifelong learning spans disciplinary and national boundaries, this program could be adopted by other engineer educators and adapted by educators from a variety of fields.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the application of quality management systems (QMS) based on international standards of quality in education (ISO 9001:2008) and ascertain the influence of this quality model on primary and secondary schools in Spain. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted in 26 publicly funded, private schools in Spain. The research design was a three-phase, mixed-methods evaluation. In all, 809 teachers answered the main survey questionnaire in Phase 3, which was validated through expert reviews and exploratory factor analysis against two theoretically derived dimensions of quality. The total scores of the two dimensions demonstrated Cronbach’s alpha reliability estimate > 0.95. A discriminant function analysis was applied next to compare three groups of schools based on teachers’ QMS ratings, using students’ achievement and other school quality indicators as predictors. Findings The QMS model was perceived to have contributed to improvements in documentation and management through evaluation, continuous improvement processes, the schools’ external image, management of resources and user satisfaction levels. Some of the improvements lasted over time. The schools rated as “high” by teachers on QMS implementation levels had better educational outcomes, as well as user perception and satisfaction levels, as compared to schools rated as “low”. Drawbacks of the QMS model were perceived as high bureaucratic workloads and a top–down management culture. Practical implications The findings suggest that ISO standards of QMS can be adopted in primary and secondary education institutions successfully, and that they are suitable for improving schools and educational systems overall. Originality/value The study’s originality lies in the demonstrated outcomes of the QMS approach, originally created for industrial environments, in a large Spanish primary and secondary education institution using a three-phase, mixed-methods design.

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RESUMEN:Introducción. El aprendizaje a lo largo de la vida (ALV) es un aprendizaje intencional que involucra a las personas a lo largo de su vida para su desarrollo personal y profesional y para mejorar la calidad de su vida. Desarrollar la capacidad para el ALV durante la Educación Superior es importante para facilitar la incorporación de los nuevos graduados al mundo laboral. Con esta finalidad, hemos diseñado un programa sobre 'Competencias para el aprendizaje a lo largo de la vida para estudiantes de Educación superior', que hemos aplicado a estudiantes de grado de la Universidad de San Diego (USD), California, USA y a los de la Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia de Madrid (España). Metodología empleada. Presentamos el programa mediante un taller donde el debate y la reflexión jugaron un papel importante. Para comprobar los logros del programa, hemos utilizado metodologías mixtas, propias de la investigación evaluativa. Aplicamos un cuestionario y, una práctica y el análisis de los portafolios personales de los estudiantes, hemos valorado la eficacia, satisfacción e impacto del programa. Resultados. La comparación de las respuestas dadas por los estudiantes antes y después de la presentación del programa indica que los estudiantes mejoraron su información sobre el ALV y las competencias clave para su desarrollo profesional. Discusión. El programa contribuye a la mejora en competencias y compromiso con el aprendizaje de los estudiantes a lo largo de la vida.PALABRAS CLAVE: Desarrollo de competencias claves; educación superior; programa para el aprendizaje a lo largo de la vida; cuestionario sobre el aprendizaje a lo largo de la vida.ABSTRACT: Introduction. Lifelong learning (LLL) is an intentional learning that people engage in th- Pedagogía Social. Revista Interuniversitaria, 2013, 22, pp. 137-151 http://www.