Richard Frederick Swindell

An International Perspective on the University of the Third Age.

The University of the Third Age (U3A) is a highly successful adult education movement that is providing opportunities for older adults to enjoy a range of activities associated with well‐being in later life. Two substantially different approaches—the original French approach and the British approach that evolved a few years later — have become the dominant U3A models adopted by different countries. In many countries, communication between U3As is limited; there is even less communication between U3As in different countries. Thus little that is readily accessible has been written about U3A developments internationally. We provide an overview of the U3As in many countries that is based on information obtained from colleagues in a number of countries on U3As in their region.

U3A (the University of the Third Age) in Australia: a Model For Successful Ageing

Education may have an important role to play in helping to enhance older peoples quality of life. The University of the Third Age (U3A) has operated successfully in many countries for nearly two decades, yet few studies have described the characteristics of those who are attracted to the movement, or the benefits to the individual and, possibly, to wider society of the U3A approach to education. This study discusses major findings from 770 responses to a postal survey involving members from twelve independent U3A campuses in three Australian States, and compares these findings with data reported for older learners in other countries. Some implications for Australian U3As undertaking research activities which have the potential to benefit the wider ageing community are raised.

U3A Online: A Virtual University of the Third Age for Isolated Older People.

U3A Online is a virtual university of the third age (U3A) that provides intellectually challenging courses for isolated older people as well as for conventional U3A members. Volunteers run the programme and all courses are written and led by retired people, principally for third-agers who are isolated by distance or circumstance from taking part in conventional face-to-face U3A activities. This paper reports on two studies that were designed to reveal some of the characteristics and aspirations of participants in the U3A Online programme. During the proof-of-concept pilot study, run in 1999, telephone interviews and pre- and post-course written questionnaires were used. A sample of ‘experienced’ course members provided written data by questionnaire for the 2001 survey. The studies show that many participants who are unable to take part in mainstream adult education activities attribute a new sense of purpose and excitement in their lives to the virtual communities they begin to develop through their online courses.

Educating the isolated ageing: improving the quality of life of the housebound elderly through educational teleconferencing

Educational programmes for older people can equip them with knowledge and skills to help them maintain their independence. However, housebound frail elderly people are usually denied the opportunity to benefit from educational programmes which might assist them to better manage their difficulties and improve their quality of life. This paper reports on a recent study with 18 relatively isolated, housebound, frail elderly people aged from 58 to 92 years old who took part in an eight‐week educational programme by teleconference. The programme content was designed to stimulate their thinking and provide practical information which might assist them to cope better with their situation. Although all participants suffered from one or more disabling illnesses, and the majority came from quite limited educational backgrounds, all remained committed to the programme. Assessments indicated that quality of life improvements had taken place throughout the programme suggesting the need for further trials of a similar ...

U3As in Australia and New Zealand: Their Value to the Wider Community, and New Directions for Future Developments.

Population ageing and growing competition for limited resources are likely to increase the onus on older adults to maximize their own well‐being. Recent literature speculates that it may be possible for older people to improve, or at least maintain, aspects of their health by engaging in stimulating mental activity. If that is the case, self‐funding adult education organizations like the University of the Third Age (U3A) are contributing, not only to the well‐being of members, but also to the national economy. U3A has grown strongly in Australia and New Zealand in recent years, and the value of its voluntary services to the community is calculated to be more than A

CHARACTERISTICS AND ASPIRATIONS OF OLDER LEARNERS IN AN AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE PROGRAM: PART 1, SURVEY RESULTS

3 million annually. Despite their present rapid growth, the independent U3A groups may need to develop a more outward‐looking focus if they are to continue to meet the needs of existing members, and to provide different kinds of intellectually challenging programmes for newer ageing cohorts. One practical way of doing this would be through elec...

University of the Third Age in Australia and New Zealand: Capitalising on the cognitive resources of older volunteers

Over the past 15 years, the provision of new educational opportunities for older adults has become the major growth area in adult education. Of all the new programs specifically developed for older adults the University of the Third Age (USA) is certainly the most successful, and probably the most important. Since its inception in France in 1972 the movement has spread rapidly to most developed and many developing countries. This study is the first of its kind in Australia to begin the process of describing the participation characteristics of members of a specific U3A program. A postal survey of a random sample of members was used to obtain responses that would allow comparisons to be made with results from overseas participation studies, as well as highlighting characteristics that may be unique to the specific program. The study revealed a 6:1 female to male membership ratio; more than 10% of participants are 75 and older; social goals, personal satisfaction, and new knowledge are among important expec...

Successful ageing and international approaches to later-life learning

Aim:  To quantify and ascribe a dollar value to University of the Third Age (U3A) volunteerism in Australia and New Zealand (NZ).

Educational Opportunities for Older Persons in Australia: A Rationale for Further Development

Lifelong learning has a key role to play in an ageing society. New policy is needed that better reflects ongoing major demographic changes and increases the number, range, availability and accessibility of lifelong learning programmes particularly for older people. The transformative benefits of lifelong learning are well known. However, less well known are long-term health and well-being benefits associated with successful ageing elements that are intrinsic to lifelong learning activities. The elements of the Successful Ageing model are discussed, and these elements are related to international approaches to later-life learning that are popular in many countries. These international approaches, including two virtual programmes, have many attributes in common that could underpin new policy action aimed at encouraging the rapidly growing population of older people to participate.

CHARACTERISTICS AND ASPIRATIONS OF OLDER LEARNERS IN AN AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE PROGRAM: PART 2, EDUCATIONAL IMPLICATIONS

The aged form the fastest growing subgroup of Australian society, a fact which is placing increasing strain on federal, state and individual resources. Education appears to have the potential for allowing older people to cope more successfully with their changed circumstances and, perhaps, the possibility of minimising or delaying some of the depredations frequently associated with old age. This paper presents a rationale for an increased emphasis, in Australia, on the development of educational opportunities for the aged, and discusses two programs of national importance, the University of the Third Age and the College for Seniors.