Digital Adult Basic Education in Austria – Perspectives on a Sustainable Learning App

Digital learning and support offers have long been estab­lished in adult basic education in Austria and are used by both learners and educators. However, a com­pre­hen­si­ve smart­phone app spe­ci­fi­cal­ly tailored to adults with basic education needs does not yet exist. Smartphones offer low-threshold access, but they also come with struc­tu­ral limitations.

The study conducted by 3s examines to what extent, and under which orga­ni­sa­tio­nal, technical, and pedago­gi­cal con­di­ti­ons, a smart­phone-based “learning app” for basic education in Austria is feasible, enabling adults to improve their fun­da­men­tal reading, writing, and numeracy skills according to their indi­vi­du­al priorities.

The analysis is based on a review of existing publi­ca­ti­ons. In addition, inter­views are conducted with those respon­si­ble for app deve­lo­p­ment projects in Germany and Luxembourg, as well as expert inter­views and focus groups with prac­ti­tio­ners, stake­hol­ders and par­ti­ci­pan­ts in adult basic education.

Specifically, the study analyses the indi­vi­du­al needs and usage con­di­ti­ons of the hete­ro­ge­neous target subgroups and explores the potential and limi­ta­ti­ons of smart­phone-based learning formats in adult basic education, including AI-supported learning approa­ches. It also provides a rough cost estimate for deve­lo­p­ment, operation and inte­gra­ti­on into existing provision structures.