Ohio Continuing Higher Education AssociationMarch 24, 2011

Learning Environments for

Transition & Transformation

in the Third Age

Mary Beth Lakin, Associate DirectorCenter for Lifelong Learning

marybeth_lakin@ace.nche.edu

Inventory: Your Lifelong Learning

• What do you want to learn in 5 years?

• How will you learn it?

• What shifts do you see in your learning needs &

options?

Inventory: Your Community

• What are the lifelong learning needs of older adults in your community?

• What are their opportunities for learning?

• In what ways is your organization or community shifting to meet needs & provide more options?

Elements for Consideration

• Motivations for learning

• Place of lifelong learning in community

• Level of access and comfort

• Use of technology

• Teaching/learning formats

• Social connections

Disruptions to Learning

• Myths and assumptions

• Developmental changes

• Environments

• Life transitions

• Educational experiences

• Social/Political/Economic shiftsAGNES: Age Gain Now Empathy System

Multiple Learning Environments

• Café Plus Concept: http://www.matherlifeways.com/iyc_cafereplication.asp

• OLLI NSF Initiative—Science Education Center for the Third Age: http://usm.maine.edu/olli/national/NSF_Projects/nsf_index.html

• Project SHINE at Temple University: http://www.projectshine.org/philly