Lifelong Learning Thursday

Nancy Merz Nordstrom, author of Learning Later, Living Greater: The Secret of Making the Most of Your After 50 Years will share the benefits of Lifelong Learning on Thursdays.

LEARNING LATER, LIVING GREATER:

The Secret for Making the Most of Your After-50 Years.

Lifelong Learning in Your Later Years…

A Health Club for Your Mind, Body, and Spirit!

This week let’s take a look at some details of lifelong learning institutes.

• Each LLI is a unique, self-sufficient entity with its own set of guidelines, courses and activities.
• Each LLI goes by its own name but all are Lifelong Learning Institutes or LLIs.
• Programs are well-run learning environments full of wisdom, diversity and intellectual and cultural stimulation.
• Each LLI has a strong sense of community among its members.
• All Institutes are very reasonably priced. Most have a small membership fee and/or course fees.
• A typical LLI 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 LLIs 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 all classrooms.
• There is never any homework. There are no tests. Grades are not given.
• LLIs are open to anyone regardless of previous academic experiences.
• 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 LLIs, 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 LLI.
• Members can and usually are active in service to their communities.

THURSDAY’S THOUGHT…

Although programs are set up a bit differently from one another, all have one big thing in common – they are made up of people who want to learn in order to keep their brains sharp, their bodies active, and their spirits fulfilled. It really is learning for the sheer joy of learning!

For more information on Learning Later, Living Greater visit www.learninglater.com

You can purchase Learning Later, Living Greater at www.amazon.com

Till Next Time…

Nancy Merz Nordstrom is Director of the Lifelong Learning Department at Computer School for Seniors (www.cs4seniors.com)