This paper examines practices of teaching and learning in the era of digitalization. More specifically, it addresses practices of teaching and learning for students with professional experience who work alongside their studies. Based on the assumption that digitalization is a means of allowing more open and flexible pathways for teaching and learning in higher education, the paper focusses on the perspectives and perceptions of both students and teachers in digital supported teaching and learning environments as forms of blended learning. It brings together findings from two qualitative empirical studies: one focused on students' perspectives of their development over the course of their studies; the second addressed teachers' perspectives and their teaching strategies and activities. Based on the findings of these two research studies, the paper outlines future perspectives for teaching and learning and the role of digitalization, with a particular emphasis on programs of lifelong learning at universities.

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to present an interview and postscript that examine the specific meaning, rationale, conceptual framework, assessment and teaching of critical reflection in and on professional development in management and higher education from an action research perspective. Design/methodology/approach – This article is presented in the new genre of PIP (Zuber-Skerritt, 2009): Preamble – Interview – Postscript. The Preamble (P) sets out the background, purpose, structure and conduct of the interview (I), which addresses six probing questions and is followed by a Postscript (P) that reveals additional comments and reflections on the interview, and identifies learning outcomes and implications. Findings – Reflective practice is essential for a deep approach to learning, research and professional development and it is a driving force to enable learners to be adequately equipped for constant and complex change in today's and tomorrow's turbulent world. Research limitations/implications – The article is positioned to inspire further R&D in the current debate on urgently needed radical and rapid change in higher education for the twenty-first century. Practical implications – As well as the article's practical suggestions about why and how to develop reflective learning/practice, the PIP conceptual model applied in this article offers a useful practical approach for researchers to explore self-ethnography through interviews. Originality/value – Two conceptual models illustrate the essence of this article, providing practical help to academics and other professionals to advance reflective practice in research and learning.

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By looking at the common understanding of university continuing education, its increasing diversification, the target groups, as well as the current developments and the perspectives for the future this essay tries to show the general conditions of university continuing education based on a survey on the organization and structure of continuing education in higher education institutions. The concluding remarks show challenges for both a strategy of university continuing education within a university, and for an overall strategy of lifelong learning.

This chapter reviews developments in the German educational system with regard to connecting professional and academic worlds of knowing within higher education programs. After setting the context by giving an overview on the segmentation of the higher education system and the vocational education and training system in Germany, the chapter focuses on recent developments enhancing permeability between these two sectors that manifest as new routes to higher education for professionals. These routes are combined in new ways within the German-wide state-funded competition “Advancement Through Education: Open Universities,” which is exemplary discussed. The chapter closes with summarizing challenges and outlining future perspectives.