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

Seminar -- US Election Process

Saturday February 23, 2008
The US Election Process... Caucus? Primary? Super Delegates? Convention? Listen to Prof. Richard Kurial, UPEI Dean of Arts, explain this sometimes confusing system and ask your burning US election process questions. The seminar will be held at the UPEI Duffy Amphitheatre, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February. 23. Seminar sponsored by the Seniors College of PEI and UPEI. All Seniors College and the general public are invited to attend. Limited seating for 250. Free admission.

NEW COURSES for Spring, 2008

call Bruce Garrity at 894-2867 to register


Introduction to Astronomy
with Ron Perry (Athena Community Astronomy Club Program Director)

Start Mar. 31 7-9pm Mondays and Wednesdays in UPEI CC 101
Mon Mar 31, Wed. Apr 2, Mon Apr 7, Wed Apr 9, Mon Apr14, Wed Apr 16, Mon Apr 21, Wed Apr 23

The universe is an amazing place. Look back in time to the beginning of the universe. Take a visual trip to the planets and their moons. Speed out to the outer edges of our galaxy and see the immense vastness of outer space. Explore the birth and death of stars. Hop on board a comet and hitch a ride to your favorite wishing star. Get to know the night sky and use a telescope to see incredible sights.

Laptop Computers
Patrick Kinnear LIMIT 12
Start Apr. 18 1-4pm Fridays and Mondays in UPEI Kelly Boardroom
Fri April 18, Mon Apr 21, Fri Apr 25, Mon Apr 28, Fri May 2, Mon May 12, Fri May 16, Fri May 23

This course will cover the differences between laptops and desktops, creating and organizing files and folders, email and internet basics, configuring and using wireless connections, security software, jump drives, search engines, web browsers, software and laptop maintenance. Other topics will be added and discussed depending on the interests and/or computer experience of the participants.
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Seniors College is your organization and we request and appreciate any and all your comments and suggestions.

Contact us at 894-2867
seniorscollege@upei.ca or at
Seniors College, UPEI, 550 University Ave, Charlottetown, PEI C1A 4P3

Seniors College had 525 members Island-wide and we thank you for membership and participation. The Board is again planning for more that 100 courses in 2008-09 and our annual Tabloid with all our offerings will be available in early September. As usual our annual registration will be in September with the actual date and time to be decided.

Have a great summer --- see you again next year!

Seniors College - Montague, PEI

Registration is planned for the first Seniors College programming in the Montague area, a landmark move for Islanders with programming now available in all three counties.

Location:

• Thursday Jan 17, 2008 1:30 - 3:00 pm,
• Montague Town Hall

Registration will take place for the following courses set to begin in February or March 2008.

• Life Writing: Kathleen Hamilton
  
• Mondays 2-5pm,
• Start Feb. 4 (6 weeks)

• Island History: David Hume
• Tues. 1-4pm
• Start Feb. 5

• Jazz For Listeners: Jim Nimmo
• Wednesdays 1-4pm
• Start Feb. 6

• Art - Basic Acrylics: Sandi Komst & Mel Giddings
• Wednesdays 1-4pm
• Start Feb. 6

• Beginner’s Bridge : Judy Fraser
• Thursdays 1-4pm
• Start Feb. 7
  

• Basic Computer : Pat Hayes
• Tuesday and Thursday's 1-3pm
• Start March 4 - Ending March 27

For information -- contact
Sheila Mallory at 838-2532
or Bruce Garrity 894-2867

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.

Community Building for Seniors Learning

Atlantic Caucus - Canadian Network for Third Age Learning

Report from a regional conference hosted by Seniors College of Prince Edward Island.

The hosting of a regional conference at UPEI on August 26, 27 and 28, 2007 was a great success with over forty participants from seven provinces. The outcomes we feel with be long lasting as participants were all committed to maintaining communication and providing advice and support to newer programs as the develop.

Goal:
The stated goal was to increase communication among organizations and individuals to enhance and develop programming that helps address the needs of adult learners today and in the future. Increase communication among educational institutions and community-based organizations to share their best practices, showing others what is working well, and helping spread the peer-learning model into new areas.

Stage One - Establish Network:

Contact was established with universities in the Atlantic region involved in senior learning, community-based programs and individuals with a research interest in the field of learning in retirement. The initial effort has established contact by email and a blog is dedicated to shared interests. Participants indicated that a listserv was the most effective method of ongoing communication and that an annual regional conference was essential.

The following provinces have been identified to host in upcoming years if possible.

• New Brunswick 2008,
• Nova Scotia 2009,
• Newfoundland 2010,
• Prince Edward Island 2011

Stage Two - Best Practices Conference:
The conference held in the Faculty Lounge at UPEI focussed on learning from similar organization and their best practices in hopes of helping existing and new organizations establish and flourish. Representatives from several universities and community groups in the region showed their interest in learning more about establishing programs.

Participants indicated that within the Atlantic region there is a need for groups work collaboratively and expand the peer-learning model into areas where there is currently no programming.

Reports:
The Seniors College web site, upei.ca/seniorscollege and the Seniors College blog seniorscollege.blogspot.com will continue to support this regional initiative with reports of the conference.


Goals

• Share research and best practices,
• Build a network that can help new groups get started,
• Share innovative ideas with on-line journals and blogs for creative writing and a virtual art gallery for students in region,
• Encourage high standards in quality adult learning opportunities for region, that support adult learning in retirement.

Name of Project – Community Building for Seniors Learning

Project’s area of interest -

• Senior’s Learning – programming for retirees,
• Arts & Culture - includes visual arts & music education as well as writing and theatre,
• Literacy – technology literacy (computer classes) and media literacy are taught.

Dates of project -

• Phase I & Phase II were completed with a regional conference on August 26, 27 and 28, 2007

Brief description of project:
To organize an active Atlantic working group under the umbrella of a national body CATALIST - that will better serve the current needs of the region. This will initiate communication among those working in the field of peer-learning for seniors at both the university and community level and lead to a regional conference in August..

This will help share best practices and help get new groups started – several groups in NS and NB have already contacted us looking for help in getting started. It will share research. We anticipate a major legacy for enhanced seniors learning and advancing peer learning models in the Atlantic region.

Outcomes:

• Representatives from all provinces in the Atlantic region as well as several community-based groups delivering or hoping to deliver programming for Atlantic seniors attended the conference and indicated interest in maintaining ongoing communication. Seniors College of PEI is maintaining communication among participants. A strong interest nationally was also achieved with leaders of the national organization CATALIST having a strong presence and with the attendance of representatives from seven provinces. Participants indicated the clear need to enhance communication nationally especially in areas of common concerns for individuals in the 50+ age group including health education issues for seniors as well as addressing broad educational needs.

• The conference brought together the community of interest along with researchers in the adult education field to share research and best practices in the region and nationally with a clear interest in working together in the future.

Evaluation: Success was shown in the participation of 40 individuals from 7 provinces and the positive reports received. One board member who holds a PhD in evaluation of educational programs put it succinctly.

A personal thank you . . . for all your work and dedication in arranging this conference. I felt that we "did ourselves proud", inspired others and ourselves, and learned a lot. It was a great success and a fine start to creating a cross-country web of connection. Your efforts were key and, as a Board member, I am very grateful to you both.

Practical events which have taken place since the event include

• Dave Mabon, Deputy Mayor of the Town of Montague, attended the conference initiated the idea of creating a branch of Seniors College in Montague, which is beginning classes in Feb 2008.
  

• Mt Allison University, has invited representatives of Seniors College of PEI to assist with a meeting with local residents interested in establishing programming in their area.

The conference would not have been possible without the financial support of:

Adult Learning Knowledge Centre / Centre du savoir apprentissage chez les adultes
Canadian Council on Learning / Conseil canadien sur l’apprentissage
University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3

Their support is greatly appreciated.

Ian Scott
President of Seniors College of PEI

A Rare Gem -- Art Linkletter

Island connections to orphans are an aspect of Island culture - Anne of Green Gables and Stompin’ Tom Connor both will receive ample attention during 2008.

Another famous orphan raised by Islanders living in Saskatchewan, TV personality, Art Linkletter is now age 95, remains active in promoting learning in retirement and can still say the darndest things -

"The Seniors College of Prince Edward Island has proven to be a rare gem and successful model for communities throughout North America."

Seniors College of Prince Edward Island appreciates Art Linkletter's interest in both UPEI and Seniors College.