Lifelong Learning

[Starsky]

Today I found out about the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UC San Diego. They offer some incredible education opportunities for almost nothing. I would expect other large universities may offer similar programs.

Osher Institute at UCSD

“The most difficult thing in the world is to listen, to see. We don’t want to see. Do you think a capitalist wants to see what is good in the communist system? Do you think a communist wants to see what is good and healthy in the capitalist system? Do you think a rich man wants to look at poor people? We don’t want to look, because if we do, we may change. We don’t want to look. If you look you lose control of the life that you are so precariously holding together. And so in order to wake up, the one thing you need the most is not energy, or strength, or youthfulness, or even great intelligence. The one thing you need most of all is the readiness to learn something new.”
-Anthony de Mello, Awareness

 

[MBAustin]

They are indeed at many major universities. Many are known as "OLLI" programs, so your friend Google can help you find out if there is one near you.

 

[jj1981]

Today I found out about the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of San Diego. They offer some incredible education opportunities for almost nothing. I would expect other large universities may offer similar programs.



Osher Institute at UCSD

Starsky, I stumbled onto this last fall so I was too late for many of the sessions as they were full up. Live in Phoenix.

However, I was ready on Jan 3rd when registration opened. These are awesome ways to sharpen the mental and social saw(s)

Where else can you have a four series lecture on forensic botany!

Between OLLI and Aeizona State University, I am like a 58 year old kid in a candy shop. I start an astronomy lecture courses Wednesday! A real human professors! No on-line!

 

[donheff]

I never could find an Ollie course I was interested enough in to make the commitment to attend. I like online college courses because I can dip in and stay or drop based on how they go and follow them in my spare time. I liked Behavioral Economics from Duke, Constitutional Law from UC Irving, and currently Bit Coin and Cryptocurrency Technologies from Princeton. There are quite a few good options out there, I like Coursera.

 

[imoldernu]

Auditing college or university classes (for seniors) can be free in almost every state. The simple google search of "audit college classes for free" brings up many options.
Here's one link out of many.

Where to Find Free College Courses for Senior Citizens in All 50 States

In Illinois, there are laws that permit seniors to audit classes for free. signing up for eligibility is simple. Acceptance is dependent on the type and size of classes, and approval of the professor.

Many interesting opportunities in our local community colleges.

 

[pjm-7]

Just got back from my Tuesday OLLI class (through the University of Denver). I enjoy the classes. Some have been better than others. It's a very low cost way to learn about a topic without too much commitment. I don't think I want to teach one but have helped in other ways.

 

[sengsational]

The problem with online courses is that they're too easy to quit. I made a thread a while ago to post to when you start an online course with the idea that publicly stating you were taking the course would add to the motivation to finish. Excuse me now while I post over there...admitting defeat.

 

[PawPrint53]

Love the Osher program. In addition to classes, they have a hiking group that I'm part of as well as a walking group and a movie group. Our parks and recreation department also has a lifelong learning program with low cost trips to places like a coffee roaster, an urban worm farm, an organic farm, etc. for guided tours and discussion.

 

[ER Eddie]

There's usually 1 OLLI in each state. Some states have 2. I'm lucky enough to be in the city with an OLLI. I look forward to participating when I'm retired. I've heard that the folks there are very friendly and genuinely interested in lifelong learning. I might even teach a class there later, if they'll let me.

 

[Walt34]

Auditing college or university classes (for seniors) can be free in almost every state. The simple google search of "audit college classes for free" brings up many options.
Here's one link out of many.

Thanks so much for the link. I found out I can audit classes at the local university for $12.50 per semester hour. The downside is they make you wait until the late registration period. I guess they want to get all the full-freight paying students they can in there first.

Now the question is: Do I really want to commit to being at a certain place and at the specified time for a whole semester? I'm thinking about that one.

 

[exnavynuke]

The problem with online courses is that they're too easy to quit. I made a thread a while ago to post to when you start an online course with the idea that publicly stating you were taking the course would add to the motivation to finish. Excuse me now while I post over there...admitting defeat.

I did three years of my B.S. degree purely online be while working full-time. I preferred most things about doing it online compared to in the classroom. The exception being the lack of social interaction involved.