PEI Seniors College - What’s new for 2013-2014

as published in The BUZZ - August 2013 PEI Seniors College

What’s new for 2013-2014 Our new tagline says it all. ‘Enhancing knowledge and understanding—purely for the fun of it’ that’s what Seniors College of PEI is all about,” says David McCabe, the current College President. “And we’re very excited about the changes being introduced this year. First of all, we’re thrilled with our new logo and look, created by Kate Westphal of Graphic Detail Inc. It’s fresh and eye-catching and reflective of who we are.” Next, in response to member feedback, this year over 30 per cent of the courses are new.  They include titles such as: Photo Editing, Basic Engine Repair, Architecture, Birds and Plants of PEI, Know Your Kidneys, PEI Sport History, Spirituality—Growing Into Our Senior Years, Yoga—Stretch for Seniors, Whole Foods—Plant Based Nutrition, Bridging Friendships—The Game of Bridge, Orienteering—Map and Compass Reading, just to name a few. Many of the longtime favourites will be returning this year including: Literature—A Survey of American Literature, Film Appreciation, Island History, Music I Like, Writing From Life, Medicine In The News, Astronomy, Choral Singing, News, as well as others. Courses are open to anyone aged 50 and over. They generally run for 2 to 3 hours, one day a week, over an 8-week period. There are no formal tests or exams, the atmosphere is relaxed and the focus is on learning together and having fun. Facilitators are experts in their field, who love to share their particular passion. For a registration fee of $152, College members are entitled to sign up for an unlimited number of courses over the Fall, Winter and Spring terms. Seniors College is a volunteer operated, non profit organization and membership fees are used solely to cover operating costs. In another important new development, the College has improved their registration process. Members will now be able to register online. Registration is on a first come, first served basis and begins on September 7, at 9 am. For those without access to a computer, traditional, in-person registration sessions will be held in all three centres (Summerside, Charlottetown and Montague). Visit the College website--www.seniorscollege.ca, to obtain full course detail and updates on registration procedures. For questions or for more information contact the Seniors College Coordinator at 1-902-894-2867 or email Darlene.dee.davis@gmail.com.

PEI Seniors College What’s new for 2013-2014

As featured in The BUZZ.

PEI Seniors College is kicking off the 2013-2014 year with a number of new courses that are being offered for the first time. The focus on offering new courses came about in response to member feedback. This year over 30 per cent of courses are new.

If you are presently a member of Seniors College, or if you are considering becoming a member for the first time, consider the following courses as you make your course selections.

How about learning to cook Mexican? This course is great for members who like to eat and learn about cooking Mexican food. Participants will also learn some facts about Mexican culture that in some cases are expressed through the food.

Did you ever want to learn how to play bridge but just never had the time? The College is offering a basic bridge course that provides a well–balanced overview of bidding, play, and defence.

Need some drama in your life! Characters in Search of a Play involves both writing and acting. Participants will learn basic playwriting skills, create memorable characters and, as a group, write a short play to feature them. The play will then be performed with the writers giving life to their creations.

All About The Money will cover a range of financial topics including personal financial statements, plastic cards (debit/credit), debt management, insurance, taxation plus two additional related topic areas as identified by the participants. (e.g., On-Line Banking )

A new course will outline many of the 385 species of birds—from loons to sparrows—that we have here on PEI. Use field guides and field marks to identify birds, their notable behaviors and habitats where they are found. There will also be a little work using song for identification in the course. At the mid-point of the course a field trip for both plants and birds will be offered at a natural area close to Charlottetown.

A course in French for beginners will cover basic French pronunciation, numbers, essential phrases and verbs to communicate in everyday situations such as greeting people, introducing people, asking and giving information, and expressing needs.

Have you ever thought of line dancing? Learn the basic steps of line dancing and several dances to different music styles.

Get outside for some fun and exercise by trying the Orienteering, Map and Compass Reading course. This course covers map reading, contour interval, measurement of distance, map and compass detail, references and more.

An introduction course on meditation will teach participants how to meditate in a natural comfortable way, and explore ways one can easily incorporate meditation into daily life.

These are just a few examples of the new course offered by the college. To get a good overview the 2013–2014 program offerings visit the college website at www.seniorscollege.ca to obtain course details and updates on registration procedures. And remember Seniors College courses are available in Prince, Queen’s, and King’s Counties and anyone who has paid the Seniors College membership fee may take as many courses as they like in any location. For information contact the Seniors College Coordinator at 1-902-894-2867 or email Darlene at seniorscollege@upei.ca.

Great Books Programs in Canada

There are a variety of programs - mostly at universities that are mentioned in this Wikipedia entry on the Great Books Programs in Canada.

The entries on Great Books and Great Books Foundation are also helpful.

Great Books Foundation

I recently I discovered a set of books from the Great Books Program. While I was aware of the program it was the first time I had explored their approach.

Founded in 1947 it was as a grassroots movement to promote continuing liberal education for the general public. In 1960 it extended its mission to children with the introduction of Junior Great Books.

Backed by the Great Books Foundation the program encourages people to begin their own discussion groups in schools, libraries, and community centers.

Here is what they say about their collaborative approach.

http://www.greatbooks.org/

Shared Inquiry™ is a powerful and transferable method of learning through discussion that transforms both leaders and participants. In Shared Inquiry, readers of all ages collaborate to explore ideas and experiences in some of the world's greatest literature. To improve student performance in reading and critical thinking, make Shared Inquiry an integral part of your classroom instruction. Learn how with the Great Books Program of Professional Development.

The Philosophical Roots of Seniors College of PEI

Seniors College of PEI, although having a unique history growing out of research at UPEI, is also part of a world wide movement known in many places as the The Université du 3ième âge - a concept that has circled the globe and flourished since it first developed in Toulouse, France, in 1972. Today it is often called U3A in the UK and in Australia. Other areas use terminology like Life Long Learning, Learning in Retirement as well as Seniors College.

Most operate as self-help, self-managed lifelong learning co-operatives for older people no longer in full time work, providing opportunities for their members to share learning experiences in a wide range of interest groups and to pursue learning not for qualifications, but for fun.

The constitution of Seniors College of PEI when first drafted on 1999 stated a philosophy that included a vision, mission and objectives.

Vision

A seniors governed, volunteer, membership based organization providing welcoming, comfortable, affordable learning for all seniors (50+), with a wide range of academic level, non-credit peer learning opportunities. The college advocates life long learning, seniors oriented research and the concept that continued learning enhances life quality.

Mission

The mission of seniors. college is to enhance the quality of life of seniors by the provision of peer learning opportunities through academic level courses and programs.

Objectives

* to be responsive to the needs and interests of seniors;
* to provide responsible peer learning opportunities for members;
* to provide structures for seniors to share skills, knowledge, expertise and life experiences;
* to be a knowledge resource to the community;
* to collaborate-partner with other organizations that share common goals;
* to develop linkages with other organizations to further the college;
* to initiate and participate in research on relevant subjects;
* to have fun!

In 2005 that was restated in a revised constitution as:

The mission of the College is to provide educational opportunities in an atmosphere where seniors from all walks of life and from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds may enjoy life-long learning, and where the economic, environmental, social and cultural well-being of individuals, their communities and the planet may be enhanced through continued learning.

Senior College launches new web site

It's official -- Seniors College of Prince Edward Island has a new web presence.
Check it out.

COMMUNITY LEARNING OPTIONS ON PEI

Report from a regional conference hosted by Seniors College of Prince Edward Island.
notes from: AUGUST 28 2007 - TUESDAY, 9 AM SESSION:

1) PEI Seniors Federation (Annie Boyle)


Seniors Federation (SF) was formed in 1970. Today, 37 clubs belong to the SF at a cost of $5 per member and individuals have also joined. There’s a funded executive director. The Active Living Centre at UPEI now has 386 members. Meetings, workshops etc focus on life after retirement There are Elder-abuse workshops, a provincially-funded peer-helping programme in which volunteers are trained to visit and support isolated seniors and an Atlantic Housing advocacy group. Individual clubs may offer courses on crafts etc. A 55-Alive driving course costs $10-$15 per person and is taken by as many as 20 people at a time.

This year, a Works Canada-funded facilitator, George Crawford, offered 9X3 hr. computer courses for 9 clubs with 136 participants. Clubs found class space in local libraries etc. Some computers came from government surplus and were left with clubs/ seniors Participants paid, at most, any cost incurred for the location.

2) Community Schools (Shirley Moore)

These began in Tignish, Kensington and Mount Stewart as a mid-sixties Rural Development initiative when PEI communities were suffering a severe downturn in farming and fishing with the loss of family farms and local schools. Typical early course topics were typing, knitting and sewing. Today there are around 34 locations and 100 courses on topics as diverse as rug-hooking, computer use, literacy, historical buildings, geneaology, Spanish and the violin. An initial provincial government grant of $20,000 annually rose to around $43,000, was cut by 53% in 2004 and has now been re-instated at $36,000. Liability costs range from $4,000 to $5,000 annually and there is a paid provincial co-ordinator. The organisation has survived with the help of the Credit Union Central.

For Shirley, the volunteer nature of the organisation is crucial for its success. No-one is paid except the co-ordinator. PEI is unique, and uniquely successful, with this approach. Last year, 700 volunteers were involved. Courses are widely accessible because the Community School (CS) brochure goes to 62,000 homes and students pay only $10-$20 for a ten-week course. Lunch is provided each night and many classes organise a final meal so there’s a social element. Student ages range from 16 upwards with many seniors participating. Special courses for seniors are offered in 10 senior homes across PEI, for example, in Charlottetown’s Geneva Villa.

GED courses are offered in collaboration with government and CS offers a home to other courses such as Defensive Driving. Old skills are kept alive and individual opportunities created. A CS course, for example, provided a basis for the very successful business of Cavendish Figurines.

3) Holland College (Angela Larter)

Holland College offers a 20% seniors’ discount for continuing education courses. At present, seniors participate in Adult and Community Education programmes and a Seniors Computer Camp (held monthly in Charlottetown, occasionally in Summerside). They are involved in the practicuum work of dental and practical nursing programmes.

In her research for the conference, Angela saw potential for a greater focus on seniors in health-related continuing education courses as well as those concerned with literacy and ESL, cooking and customer service. Full-time courses in safety, sports and leisure and a variety of trades may interest seniors. Peer-learning opportunities could be created. Seniors might tutor or teach in ESL programmes, share their perspectives in continuing education classes or use HC resources to teach other courses.

Olive Bryanton suggested that HC consider a project similar to that of UPEI. As part of their curriculum, nursing students go to the Seniors Active Living Centre for up to a week to develop a programme with the assistance of seniors.

4) Lifelong learning at UPEI (Kelly Duffy and Bruce Garrity)

The institute’s focus is on pay-as-you-go business courses in areas such as professional development courses in topics like conflict resolution and stress management. There is no discount for seniors.

It was suggested that ten places be offered free to non-profit organisations, also that the UPEI Centennial Scholarship funding be re-instated without any limitation on the number of credit courses taken by seniors.

On-Line Registration

On-line registration is now available for the regional conference on learning for those age 50+.
Hosted at UPEI August 26-28, 2007 and it will be held on campus in Charlottetown.

UPEI Hosts Regional Conference - Best Practices for Seniors Learning

Peer learning for those 50+ is a growing area of activity and interest in Canada and internationally. With the success that PEI has seen with Seniors College of Prince Edward Island, the choice of PEI as the location of a regional conference on seniors learning is very appropriate. The dates are August 26-28, 2007 and it will be held on campus at UPEI in Charlottetown.

It is hoped that through the conference a stronger regional network within the Atlantic region will assist with development of new opportunities for seniors.

A website has now been established for the conference. All suggestions are welcome.

Please spread the word to anyone that may share an interest in establishing a seniors college in their area - or sharing with other how their current program is going.

It's Never Too Late to Learn

Seniors College of PEI continues to sees tremendous growth with numbers climbing to over 400 members in the fall 2006 enrolment.

Programs in both Charlottetown and Summerside, welcomed returning members, and new members for a great fall start. Programs are offered in eight week segments, with courses starting in September, January and the spring.

Her Honour, Barbara A. Hagerman, the Lieutenant Governor, is the Patron of Seniors College, which is affiliated with UPEI. Kinsey Smith, MD is the President and Bruce Garrity the overall coordinator. He is assisted by Summerside coordinator Don Anderson. With growing interest throughout Kings Co., efforts are underway to develop programming in Montague in the future.

The College is continuously striving to keep programs offerings exciting so are on the look out for new courses and facilitators to present new offerings. The coordinators welcome any suggestions. With no exams, tests or homework to worry about, learning is purely for fun. Most members find this approach very satisfying, and that learning new skills is easier with others.

Besides offering courses to members in the age 50+ range, Seniors College also has social events from time to time. The fall social which is held on campus, includes readings from students in the Life Writing class, and coral music from the Voices 50+ class.

Locally the name Seniors College is used, and the program is affiliated with UPEI, but in other places programs have grown in unique ways. The Canadian Network for Third Age Learning, acts as a point of contact among the various programs and operates an email newsletter and listserv called CATALIST.

Canadian programs tend to have unique names like: Of Course You Can, Learning in Retirement,
L.I.F.E Institute (Learning is For Ever), ElderCollege Chilliwack, Université du 3ième âge – Sudbury, Later Life Learning Kingston, Creative Retirement Manitoba.

On the international level, many programs use the terminology related to Third Age - which derives from the roots of the program in Toulouse France, in 1972 and the name Université du 3ième âge. The name relates to the idea of distinct stages of life with retirement following both childhood and the adult years when work is often the major focus. The founding of AIUTA (International Association of Universities of the Third Age) in France, maintains a connection among similar programs internationally. U3A is the terminology that is often used in the UK and Australia.

Programs all use peer-learning in which facilitators bring their passion and knowledge of their subject, and students bring their life experience and interest in learning new things. The College has been extremely lucky that PEI is an attractive retirement location, and thus retired professors from several Canadian universities, are currently offering classes at Seniors College of PEI. Other instructors who are working, take time off, in order to teach.

While peer-learning for seniors began before the Internet existed, at a time that baby boomers were beginning careers, the future may be quite different than the past. Rapid growth in the numbers of individuals aged 50+ , could expand the concept far beyond the current success it enjoys. This will require solid planning, and innovation to ensure quality programming continues.

Learning from similar organization elsewhere and their best practices may help existing and new organizations get started and flourish. Currently other universities in Canada have learned of the success on PEI and are interested in learning how to establish a similar program. Past president of Seniors College, Ivan Dowling is much sought after, as a speaker, by retired faculty in other universities keen to learn about the PEI model. A video also provides an overview of the program on PEI.

Addressing the intellectual needs of seniors in residential care, by expanding learning opportunities for individuals who no longer living independently, could be an important, and growing area to examine in the future. Individuals who are care givers at home likewise have special needs, but limited time away from their responsibilities.

In Australia where geography can be daunting, U3A Online was created as the world-first virtual University of the Third Age delivering online learning via the Internet. They state that “All that's needed to study online is access to a computer with an Internet connection - and some basic computing skills. Our courses are open to all older people anywhere in the world. They are especially suited to older members of the community who are isolated either geographically, or through physical or social circumstances (including careers).”

In China the Association of Universities for the Aged, (CAUA) has an important role in developing programs. With 19,300 programs and 1.81 million members now involved, Chinese retirees are very active in enjoying education opportunities.
Publish
The Seniors College web site, www.upei.ca/seniorscollege is a good resource.

For anyone interested in learning more or signing up it is a simple as calling either Bruce Garrity at 894-2867 or Don Anderson at 436-9575 or emailing Seniors College of PEI

And yes - it's never too late to learn.

2007 is 35th Anniversary Internationally

The Université du 3ième âge - is a concept that has circled the globe and flourished since it first developed in Toulouse, France, in 1972. It is often called U3A in the UK and Australia.


AIUTA (International Association of Universities of the Third Age) was founded in France, and now maintains a connection among similar programs internationally.

In Australia where geography can be daunting, U3A Online was created as the world-first virtual University of the Third Age delivering online learning via the Internet. They state that “All that's needed to study online is access to a computer with an Internet connection - and some basic computing skills. Our courses are open to all older people anywhere in the world. They are especially suited to older members of the community who are isolated either geographically, or through physical or social circumstances (including carers).”

In China the Association of Universities for the Aged, (CAUA) has an important role in developing programs. With 19,300 programs and 1.81 million members now involved, Chinese retirees are very active in enjoying education opportunities.

Around the World -- Learning in Retirement

The concept of peer-learning for retirees and those approaching retirement is not new, although the organized approach involving universities has roots in conference held in 1972 in France. A British organization called the U3A Trust, helps to connect various local efforts. Many international organizations use terminology which translates in English as the University of the Third Age - and is abbreviated as U3A.

In Canada each organization seems to have a unique name (as unique as the regions of Canada themselves). Some of the names include

• L.I.F.E Institute -- Learning is For Ever
• Of Course You Can
• Learning in Retirement
• Université du 3ième âge – Sudbury
• Later Life Learning Kingston
• Creative Retirement Manitoba
• ElderCollege Chilliwack
• ElderWeb Alberta
• National Academy of Older Canadians

The organization in Canada, which is uniting similar educational organization for 50+ learners, is CATALIST

Welcome to Seniors College of Prince Edward Island

Seniors College of PEI - is affiliated with UPEI, and offers a variety of educational opportunities for member of the 50+ organization. Based on the peer-learning model it is a great way to have fun and learn new things.
Check it out through our website.