What is Lifelong Learning in the classroom all about?
Since current research studies have indicated that the brain is a vital organ that responds to new stimuli, it's clear the Brain needs to be challenged in enriched environments.
In fact, just like we take care of our bodies, our brain's health too, depends on the care it is given, and the perfect enriched environment for that care is...
Lifelong Learning in the classroom - A health club for your brain!
Lifelong learning plays a big role in the psychological and physical wellness of older adults. According to the National Center for Education statistics, the number of adult learners is both large and growing. In 1999, 90 million Americans participated in some form of adult learning, which is up from the 58 million registered in 1991, and of those 90 million adult learners, 23 million were over the age of 50.
People are also beginning to realize that lifelong learning is essential to their longevity.
So much so in fact, that there are now approximately 250,000 older adults taking part in between 500-750 organized classroom-type lifelong learning programs across North America.
These programs go by various names - lifelong learning institutes, senior colleges, institutes for learning in retirement - but all are dedicated to an enriching and stimulating atmosphere for older adults.
The number of programs is sure to grow as our population ages, especially as people become more aware of the value and opportunities lifelong learning affords them.
By joining a lifelong learning program your sense of personal empowerment, your self-esteem, and your feelings of contribution will take a big leap.
Participants in these programs also gain insight on how to make their personal lives more efficient, effective and enjoyable. They develop new interests by simply trying something new.
Lifelong learning programs can be a valuable tool for those of us facing 30 or more years of life after leaving the full-time workforce, if we want those years to be rich and fulfilling.
History of Lifelong Learning Programs
For years, colleges and universities have offered continuing education programs for the local community. Along with these programs, adult education is offered in most communities at local schools. Adults of all ages take advantage of these low-cost opportunities, and they continue to be a wonderful resource for many.
The types of programs we are talking about here, however, are different from these well-known programs.
Back in 1962 a group of retired educators came together to discuss ways to stay intellectually challenged beyond what continuing education courses offered.
They gathered at the New School for Social Research (now called the New School University) in New York City and conceived of a program run by and for older adults, offering a college-level curriculum. From the outset, The Institute for Retired Professionals or IRP, as they named the program, thrived. Today, some 44 years later, it is still going strong.
Between the start of this incredibly successful program in 1962 and the mid 1980s, the "Learning in Retirement" or LIR movement as it came to be known, grew slowly. Some 50 more institutes were formed at such institutions as Harvard, Syracuse, Duke and UCLA, among others.
Since 1988 the "Learning in Retirement" movement with the help of the Elderhostel Institute Network (EIN) has started more than 200 new programs. Today EIN is North America's largest and most respected educational network for older adults, with over 350 member programs hosting more than 150,000 older adults.
Another, smaller network also exists to promote connections between Lifelong Learning Institutes. That network is the Association for Learning in Retirement Organizations of the West or ALIROW. ALIROW is an active association of independent Learning in Retirement (LIR) programs. Their member-directed activities are generally located on campuses of sponsoring universities and college in the Western United States.
Facts About Lifelong Learning Programs
Here are some brief facts about lifelong learning programs that will help give you an overview of the programs:
- Each program is a unique, self-sufficient entity with its own set of guidelines, courses and activities.
- Each goes by its own name.
- Programs are well-run learning environments full of wisdom, diversity and intellectual and cultural stimulation.
- Each has a strong sense of community among its members.
- All programs are reasonably priced. Most have a small membership fee and/or course fees.
- A typical program has 200-400 members. But some have several thousand members.
- Classes are held during the day.
- During any one term, more than 5,000 courses are available at programs across the country.
- A typical program offers 20-40 courses per term, and has two or three terms each year.
- Most members take two or three courses per term.
- Classes can be held on college campuses and/or in local community facilities.
- Classes can be peer-led, facilitated by current or retired faculty, or led by outside experts.
- An atmosphere of shared experiences, not a lecture format, is prevalent in most classrooms.
- There is never any homework or tests. Grades are not given.
Programs are open to anyone regardless of previous academic experience.
- The only requirement to join is a desire to keep your mind active and stimulated.
- Social activities can include field trips, all types of social outings and group travel.
- Volunteers usually staff programs, although some have paid office staff.
- Members make up all the necessary committees such as Curriculum, Special Events and Long-Range planning.
- Members staff the governing boards and make all decisions about the program.
- Many members are active in service to their communities.
Lifelong Learning Participants
Lifelong learning participants are self-motivated learners, intent on making their later years the very best they can be.
They come from all walks of life. Some have college degrees. Others do not. It's a level playing field.
Members are dedicated students of retirement age, whose common bonds are intellectual curiosity and generational experiences.
They share opinions, knowledge, and expertise with humor, creativity, mutual respect and an intense vitality.
Through their work, each member helps to create a well-run learning environment full of diversity, insight, wisdom and intellectual and cultural stimulation.
They also get to share in the joys of learning and friendship while being challenged to broaden their horizons.
In other words, people take part in lifelong learning programs to keep their brains active and alert. Everyone is there for the sheer joy of learning, and everyone has something to contribute because members' life experiences have shaped and formed them. Life experience is experiential learning at its very best.
Curriculum
At the heart of every lifelong learning program is the curriculum.
Committees, composed of members, decide what courses are to be offered, based on input from other members. A Curriculum Committee puts in long hours planning and organizing. That hard work shows in the quality of the courses offered by each program.
Here is a brief sampling of some of the courses offered at Lifelong Learning programs:
- Music in French Civilization
- Memorable Musicals
- Art & Ideas: Romantic America
- Beginning Watercolor
- Pen & Ink
- American Mystery Writers
- James Fenimore Cooper's Greatest Novels
- Creative Writing
- Life Writing
- A Playwright's Theatre
- Play Reading for Culture
- Reading & Understanding Poetry
- The Epic
- Nutrition & Food Issues
- Biology of Aging
- Medical Test Results
- The Mind/Body Connection
- Civil War
- Celts: A History of Ireland, Scotland, Wales
- Local Ecosystems
- Municipal Government
- Aquaculture Research
- Current Affairs/Events
- Foreign Policy
- Great Political Decisions
- Celestial Navigation
- Geology
- Basic & Advanced Computer Courses
- The Philosophy of Religion
- World Religions
- Philosophy: Beginning & Advanced
- Financial Planning
- Retirement Planning & Investing
- Scandanavia
- The Seminoles
- Judaism
The Social Aspects
The social nature of lifelong learning also helps us live longer. People join lifelong learning programs as much for the socialization as for the education. Social activities are a very strong component of lifelong learning programs.
Here are just a few of the social activities at lifelong learning programs:
- Walking & Hiking Clubs
- Theater Trips
- Dinner Clubs
- Book Clubs
- Current Events Groups
- Weekend Getaways
- Summer Picnics
- Theme Festivals
- Chess Clubs
- Ice Cream Socials
- Holiday Parties
- Theme Dinners
- Card Groups
- Bird Clubs
- Special Interest Groups
Statewide and regional lifelong learning conferences are also another way members interact on a social level. Conferences are a great way of bringing people together, to discuss the nature of their programs, their missions, policies and procedures, to share concerns, find solutions, and to celebrate their many victories.
Member Benefits
Participants reap a host of benefits by belonging to a Lifelong Learning program. Here are a few of them.
- Enlarges scope of interests.
- Enriches established friendships.
- Provides opportunities to meet new people.
- Keeps members current, active and alert.
- Enables members to make new contacts, relationships and connections.
- Expands horizons.
- Allows members to have fun, gain respect and exchange ideas.
- Provides opportunities to develop new ideas and handle change.
- Gets people involved in the give and take of lively discussions.
- Provides a chance to learn more about current events.
- Gives people a chance to try out new ideas and insights.
- Enables participation in domestic and international study/travel.
- Provides opportunities for volunteer work on the local and national level.
Lifelong Learning programs are a life-enriching, life-enhancing and life-prolonging concept.
They provide a stimulating educational atmosphere of self-governance that enables mature adults, no matter what their previous academic history, to come together and take college-level, non-credit courses for fun and discovery.
Lifelong Learning programs are where you begin making the most of your "After-50 Years."
Learning in the Classroom is...
An opportunity to fill your After-50 years with joy and stimulation...
An opportunity to help change the stereotypical views of older adults...
An opportunity to leave a lasting legacy for the next generation...
