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.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Art Linkletter describes Seniors College as “Rare gem – model for communities throughout North America.”
Newsrelease from UPEI February 9, 2007-
Membership of the Seniors College of Prince Edward Island has reached a record 440, a five-fold expansion over the past four years. In addition to the 339 members from Charlottetown, more than 100 members are now taking part in courses in Summerside.
The Seniors College of PEI is an independent, board-run organization affiliated to the University of Prince Edward Island. It provides inexpensive opportunities for people who are over 50 to keep on learning new skills and new ideas in a comfortable environment and in the company of interesting and interested fellow learners.
Art Linkletter, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the UCLA Center on Aging, commended the college recently when he wrote:
"As the human lifespan continues to grow and many more of us are living well into our 80s and 90s, it is increasingly important to provide resources that will help make seniors’ lives healthy, happy and productive. In providing such opportunities, the Seniors College of Prince Edward Island has proven to be a rare gem and successful model for communities throughout North America."
Linketter is well known as host of two of the longest-running television shows in the US. In addition to his work with the UCLA Center of Aging, he has been a spokesman for the United Seniors Association. He received an honorary degree from UPEI in 2003.
Friday, January 5, 2007
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.
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.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
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.
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.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
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
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
Welcome to Seniors College of Prince Edward Island
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