Seniors College Celebrating The Arts - on CBC

A recent item on CBC Radio, features retired publisher, Libby Oughton and myself with Island Morning host Matt Rainnie talking about the upcoming book being published of work by members of Seniors College writing classes. Libby and Dianne Morrow are both currently teaching courses with Seniors College and want to contact writers who took courses in prior year to consider submitting a item of their work.

Seniors College had offered courses for writers for over a decade, and the book is a celebration of members work from that decade.

The interview also covers the overall project and the main celebration event at which the book will be launched on November 4, 2011, at Confederation Centre of the Arts.

You can listen to the item as a slide show/video.

The project website explains more.

Seniors College - Family History Class Resources

Seniors College of PEI is again offering Bringing Family History to Life: The Techniques & Technology of Family History Research.

Taught by Ian Scott and Bob Ramsay, the course has a class resource page with helpful links related to the various topics covered:

• Family History Class Resources

Computers helping community groups

as published by The Guardian - Dec 22, 2008

Seniors College of P.E.I. board member David Mabon, left, Seniors College student Roberta Hubley, Provincial Treasurer Wes Sheridan and Industry Canada Community Development Officer Tim Wartman, right, take a look at some of the computers recently donated to the Seniors College at the ISN Wireless facility in Montague through the Computers for Communities P.E.I. Initiative.


Not-for-profit community groups and charitable organizations across the Island can now receive refurbished computers, free of charge, thanks to a partnership between Industry Canada and the Provincial Treasury.

Provincial Treasurer Wes Sheridan recently visited the Seniors College in Montague to see first-hand how the Computers for Communities Initiative (P.E.I.) is helping Island community groups stay connected.

This initiative falls under the umbrella of the Computers for Schools (CFS) program, a national partnership between Industry Canada and non-profit licensees across Canada.

Surplus computers, which have been donated by the public and private sectors, are refurbished and given to schools, libraries and non-profit learning organizations throughout the country. Industry Canada is contributing $129,940 towards the Computers for Schools program in P.E.I. for 2008/09.

Schools require Pentium 4 level computers, but CFS also receives many Pentium III level computers and wants to find good use for them.

The Computers for Communities (P.E.I.) Initiative will make sure these make their way to not-for-profit community organizations.
Provincial Treasury employees are administering the program on P.E.I.

“Gaining a full classroom of computers allowed Seniors College to expand our programming into Montague,” said Seniors College president Ian Scott. “We were able to respond to requests from Islanders wishing the opportunity to gain new skills in a supportive and very accessible environment. Whether at a basic or more advanced skill level, our programs have been very popular. This program quickly put much needed computers into a community situation where, coupled with an excellent teacher in Pat Hayes, they are making a real difference.”

To qualify for the CFC (P.E.I.) Initiative, a community group or charitable organization must have not-for-profit status, which may be provincially or federally granted. Computers for Schools was co-founded in 1993 by Industry Canada and the TelecomPioneers. Over 931,000 computers have been distributed across Canada.

Creating a slide show

Creating a slide show using images on Internet without using Powerpoint
Steps based on Windows XP operating system and a USB drive on computer.

1 - place jump drive (USB flash drive) into the computer you are using (flash drives cost less than $15)

2 - using your regular web-browser locate the image on the internet. If several sizes are available click on the image to ensure that you are viewing the largest format available.

3 - place the mouse (cursor) over the image so that the arrow is flashing

4 - using right side button on mouse - right click on the image

5 - you will be presented with a pop-up menu with options

6 - select the "save image as" option

7 - on the pop-up menu of locations to save the image, select the jump drive - it will have a letter assigned like "F Removable Drive" but may have a different letter assigned depending on how many drives are installed on the machine

8 - it will normally be saved with the same file name as image has on the webpage - you should give it a new name or add a number to the front of the existing name so that it will sort numerically in order. Assign a number starting with two 00 (Zeros) in front so that 11 doesn't line up in front of 8. Use numbers like 008 and 011 -- if you need more info add name of artist like 007Kollwitz

9 - When you have finished slide show you can review it on the same computer

10 - Go to My Computer - on the Windows desktop using either the desktop icon on the bottom menu bar - or hold down the special Windows Key (between Ctrl and ALt key on most keyboard) and hit M. This will minimize all the open windows and get you to the desktop.

11 - Open My Computer and scroll through the various drive C -- etc depending on what the letter is do the same steps as in 7 above till you locate F Removable Drive and the various images show up when the Removable Drive is selected

12 - Double Click on the first image and "Windows Picture and Fax Viewer" will automatically open that image. From here you can run the full set of images as a slide show. There will be icons at the bottom that allow you to Start Slide Show - ( it has a shortcut key of F 11 as well). When this happens you can go forward by clicking on the mouse each time you could use the forward arrow on the set of arrow keys at the bottom right of the keyboard. The icon that starts the show looks like a projector screen. To get back to the start again you have to use a new set of navigational controls that will emerge when you use the mouse near the top of the screen at the right - the red X will close the Slide Show format and take you back to the screen you were at when Windows Picture and Fax Viewer first opened.

Step 12 is based on the computer having Windows Picture and Fax Viewer - it became a standard part of Windows operating systems with the arrival of Windows XP operating system in 2001 - if the computer has a newer operating system there will be a similar system

The steps to use the slide show on a computer attached to a projector is the same as steps 10 - 11 and 12. Usually the projector is attached to the computer prior to powering up the computer and power is turned on projector first so that Windows operating system will search for all peripherals attached to it and recognize the projector.
Once the projector is projecting on the screen okay one goes to My Computer as in step 11 etc.

A tip if there are several lectures all saved on the same Jump Drive is to create folders with names for each class. Again they will sort by number so add the zeros in front.

To create the folder when the drive is showing in the window on the screen - (having been opened through the My Computer process outlined in step 11 above) you go to the first drop-down menu called File -- under the area New you can select Folder which creates a folder that can be named - for example 001WomenArtNZ

You will need to actually open that new folder when you start to add images to it - do that by double clicking on the folder.

Seniors College of P.E.I. gaining national attention

as published in The Guardian - April 26, 2008

Seniors College of P.E.I. has been asked to speak to the Special Senate Committee on Aging in Ottawa as part of a major investigation into the needs of older Canadians.

Ian Scott, the president of Seniors College of P.E.I. will be speaking to the committee in Ottawa on aspects of Active Aging and Ageism which is part of the committee’s second interim report on April 28.

Seniors College of P.E.I. now operates in Montague, Alberton, Summerside and Charlottetown with 527 members participating. Affiliated with UPEI and designed for those age 50 or older, the concept of active learning, and active living in retirement, is a worldwide phenomenon which continues to change the public view of seniors.

Based on peer-learning in which members share their knowledge with others, the P.E.I. operation is co-ordinated by Bruce Garrity, who is assisted with each of the operations outside Charlottetown.

Recently both Garrity and Scott spoke to a packed audience at Mount Allison, where a steering committee was formed to launch a similar operation.

Earlier this year, a seniors college was launched in Halifax due to efforts of a past president Ivan Dowling, who encouraged colleagues who were retired faculty of the various universities there to work together, and spoke of the success of P.E.I. efforts.

A seniors college also launched in Cape Breton with the encouragement of Clive Keen, while he was director of Life Long Learning at UPEI.

A regional conference on learning in retirement hosted at UPEI by Senior College of P.E.I. in 2007 brought together representatives from seven provinces, and has helped spread the word even further.

“Learning in retirement is important to both individuals and their personal enjoyment but also the fact that governments are now recognizing the value that active learning plays in maintaining a healthy population, is significant,’’ said Scott. “Research continues to show the beneficial effects that new learning has on the brain, and the positive benefits of being active in a social environment to reduce isolation. It also happens to be great fun.’’

More information on the Special Senate Committee on Aging is located on their website www.senate-senat.ca/age.asp and information of Seniors College of P.E.I. is available at www.upei.ca/seniorscollege or through contacting Garrity at 894-2867 or seniorscollege@upei.ca

Plans under way for Sackville seniors' college

Ian Scott, president of the P.E.I. seniors’ college, speaks to local residents who were on hand for an information meeting last week at Convocation Hall. A steering group was formed to develop the idea for Sackville.
as published by the Sackville Tribune-Post - March 12, 2008

BY KATIE TOWER, Staff Reporter

Seniors in the community could soon have access to more fun and engaging learning opportunities.

A local steering committee was formed last week to get plans under way on the founding of a seniors college in the Sackville area, an initiative which would offer stimulating and affordable courses to the 55-and-over crowd.

Heather Patterson, director of the continuous learning centre at Mount Allison University, organized the founding meeting at Convocation Hall last Thursday, which drew over 75 residents, and said she’s excited about the potential of a seniors college where local seniors can learn from their peers.

“We have so many wonderful seniors in the community with so much experience in many different areas. . . some very engaging, exciting, active and happening people.”

The local project would be modeled on the successful P.E.I. seniors college, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2007. Ian Scott, president of the seniors college on the Island, said the organization has grown by leaps and bounds over the past decade.

“We started out small. . . we had 45 students in the first year and we offered three courses. Now we have 527 students in four locations on the Island and we have over 100 programs,” said Scott, who was on hand last week to share ideas on how to get the project off the ground.

The premise of the seniors college is based on peer learning, he explained.

“We are strong believers that we all have something to share and we’re never too old to learn.”

One of the keys to its success has been the ability to access retired professors and educators in the area, said Scott, who want to teach about engaging, entertaining topics they are passionate about.

“Our teachers have a love affair with their courses and it shows.”

The membership – at $125 – provides seniors the opportunity to take as many, or as few, courses as they would like during the semester – classes that range from alternative medicine to computer skills, genealogy to painting, life writing to astronomy, and much more.

The college co-ordinator Bruce Garrity said seniors can share skills, knowledge and experience with each other through their eight-week courses.

“This enhances the quality of life for seniors by providing them with professional-level courses and it also gives them the opportunity to experience the joy of learning.”

The P.E.I. seniors’ college is affiliated with UPEI – and uses several facilities at the university - but is operated by a separate board.

The local steering committee – made up of Heather Patterson, Pat Dixon, Barb Jardine, Art Miller, Donna Capper, Janet Hammock and Erik Hulsman – will develop the basic concept of how a seniors’ college would work in the area and will present their findings to the public

Seniors College holds 2007 AGM

Charlottetown, PEI
Saturday - October, 20 2007

Outgoing president of Seniors College, Dr. Kinsey Smith, reported to the annual meeting on Saturday at UPEI that there had been a solid year of growth for the organization which now has about 500 members and programs offered in Alberton, Summerside and Charlottetown.

The new executive includes Ian Scott, president; Joe Revell, vice president; Julie Dowling, Secretary; and Beth Cudmore, treasurer. New members joining the board included Douglas Boylan and Paul Kelly.

During the year a regional conference was held at UPEI with forty representatives from seven provinces attending, all interested in the "learning in retirement" model. TV star Art Linkletter recently congratulated the organization, "The Seniors College of Prince Edward Island has proven to be a rare gem and successful model for communities throughout North America."

The organization's website is upei.ca/seniorscollege and contact numbers are 894-2867 Charlottetown and 436-9575 in Summerside.

Exchange of knowledge highlights conference on seniors' learning

KATIE SMITH
The Guardian - August 30, 2007

Ian Scott, left, of Seniors College P.E.I., Meddie Aikens of McGill Institute for Learning in Retirement, and Bruce Garrity, co-ordinator, chat at the Regional Conference 2007, Peer-Learning Opportunities for 21st Century Seniors. The conference was hosted by the seniors’ college promoting networking, sharing experiences and information and the expansion of seniors’ colleges. Guardian photo

Bruce Garrity of Centre for Life-Long Learning says gathering at UPEI drew about 40 people from seven provinces who shared their experiences with seniors' colleges across the country.

This week’s regional conference on seniors’ learning was better than could have been expected, says a representative from the Centre for Life-Long Learning.

Bruce Garrity said there are many seniors’ learning groups across the country and the different types of models were discussed at the conference held at UPEI from Aug. 26-28.

He said although a number of centres exist in Canada, he was surprised there wasn’t any discussion among them. That is, until this conference.

“It was about sharing our knowledge,” Garrity said. “I’m very happy with our exchange of information.”

Approximately 40 people attended the meetings representing seven Canadian provinces: Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and P.E.I.

Garrity said when the seniors’ college began on the Island nearly 10 years ago only a handful of courses was offered, and only about 25 people enrolled.

It’s now grown to nearly 100 courses, with more than 450 seniors taking part, he said, adding most of the courses are taught by retired teachers and professors.

“P.E.I. is a leader in community schools, life-long learning and seniors’ colleges,” said Garrity, a former member of Charlottetown City Council.

Although the Island seniors’ learning programs are growing, Garrity said he’d like to see even more seniors involved — particularly men.

“All of the associations in the country deal mostly with females. I know here, there’s close to 80 per cent females,” he said, adding the reason there are fewer men than women is men tend to be more involved with other activities.

Aside from different hobbies that might otherwise occupy a person’s time, one reason Garrity said seniors’ enrolment numbers are low because many people don’t want to take school courses.

“A lot of people who are 50-plus, when they hear of a seniors’ college, they think it’s too collegiate, too brainy. But it’s not. There are no tests, no term papers.”

It’s just a place to gather and hear people talk about different topics, he said. Garrity added that the seniors’ colleges are places to go for socializing and for intellectual stimulation, which is important for people of all ages.

While it’s necessary to exercise regularly and eat well, it’s also important for one’s health to exercise the mind, he said.

As the conference drew to a close, several participants stayed to discuss what happens next.
Some of the suggestions included making this conference an annual event to better keep in touch with other programs and learn from them.

It was also suggested to start up a website where each program can go for information.
One man said it would be a good idea to spread the word about seniors’ learning programs to municipal organizations.

Registration for fall courses will be held in Charlottetown, Summerside and Alberton in September. Specific times, dates and locations will appear in a Guardian ad on Sept. 4, Garrity said.

The cost is $125 per senior 50 years of age and older, per year.

Students can take as many courses as they like for this price.