on Nov 12th, 2006Adult Continuing Education for Seniors
They say the desire for education never wanes; the problem is finding the required time to attend classes. Adult Continuing Education has been part of the university curriculum for years. As Baby Boomers age, the lack of time element should disappear. More and more seniors are enrolling in classes that may even be free or offered at a reduced cost. Jump on board this education train while you can! Like senior discounts, the days of getting something free disappears in proportion to the number who want it.
9:00am–10:00am
Film: The Movies and Emotional Manipulation
Brigitte Peucker, Yale Professor and recipient of Woodrow Wilson, Morse and Mellon Fellowships
10:15am–11:15am
Constitutional History: The Emergence of a Powerful Supreme Court
Christopher Schmidt, Dartmouth Professor, winner of Excellence in Teaching Award
11:30am–12:30am Literature: Medievalism in the 21st Century
Daniel Donoghue. Distinguished Harvard University Marquand Professor
12:30–1:30 Lunch Break
1:30–2:30
Astronomy: We Are Not Alone
David Helfand. Chairman of Columbia University’s renowned Astronomy Department
2:45–3:45
Economics: Fear, Myth Reality and the Economics of Immigration
Rachel Friedman. Brown University Award Winning Economist
4:00–4:30 Reception
Ms. Seredynski is not alone in her quest for educational sustenance, especially among those 50 or older. Continuing education — that is, noncredit courses or classes taken after formal education — is a $6 billion business, according to William A. Draves, president of Learning Resources Network, a national consulting organization in River Falls, Wis.
That number is up from $4 billion two years ago. He expects the industry to hit $8 billion by 2011. Participation has increased to 44 percent in 2005, from 40 percent in 1995, according to a 2005 survey conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics. About 47 percent of 50- to 54-year-olds took some kind of course; 40 percent of 55- to 64-year- olds; and 23 percent of those 65 and older.
As Older Students Return to Classrooms an Industry Develops
By ABBY ELLIN
New York Times, November 11, 2006