Universities of the Third Age (U3As) cater for older persons who want to continue learning in a relaxed environment.
But not everyone can get to a
U3A. If you are an older person living in remote or isolated
circumstances, you could enjoy a
U3A ONLINE course.
Learning does not stop because you live in a remote area or have mobility difficulties – all you need is access to the Internet.
U3A Online provides interesting
and informative courses on range of topics at a very low cost, and encourages
contact and interaction with other course members, as well as course leaders.
Find
out all about them at
http://u3aonline.edna.edu.au
If
you have any difficulty in making that connection,
contact the Project Co-ordinator at
info@u3aonline.org.au
or by phoning (02) 6251 7785
U3A Online Resources Ltd
ACROSS THE PACIFIC
In 1984 the first U3As (Universities of the Third Age), based on the British model of self help with no distinction between tutor and students, were established in Australia and New Zealand. With a consistent growth over the years, Australian membership is now in excess of 40,000 older people who support some 140 independent U3As.
AND NOW ONLINE
This initiative was developed to allow U3As to share ideas, resources and information through the Internet and to harness its seemingly unlimited educational potential.
ISOLATED?
A centrepiece of the project is a program of special short courses originally devised to allow all older members of the community who are isolated, either geographically, or through physical or social circumstances, to enjoy some of the advantages of U3A membership.
Through this program, such people are able to undertake online courses and communicate with their course leaders and enjoy at least some of the interactive learning, which is a distinctive and important feature of U3As.
Within a short time of publicising the idea, and obtaining funding from the Federal Government, initially as an IYOP project, a small group of dedicated U3A members from all over Australia and New Zealand spent literally thousands of hours to turn an idea into reality:
U3A-STYLE COURSES ONLINE ARE NOW AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE
ONLINE COURSES for 2001
The courses, usually of eight weeks duration, are written and led by volunteers who are experts in their particular field.
· Ageing and Retirement
· Astronomy
· Design in your Life
· Continents on the Move
· Comparative Religion
· The Romans
· Antarctica: The Frozen Continent.
· Botany for Knowledge and Enjoyment
· Genealogy
· Writing Family History
· The Life and Times of Henry Lawson
· History of the English Language
STUDY OPTIONS
For most online courses there will be three study options:
Option A: Self-study with access to the course materials at any time after payment of course fees.
Option B: Self-study in small groups. Each group will be limited to 12 – 15 participants and will have independent forums for discussion.
Option C: Study in small groups as in option B but in this case with a course leader who will often be the writer of the course.
COSTS
Course fees for all options are $16.00 per course, including GST.
SPECIAL NOTE:
All older people who identify themselves as isolated and people who are already members of a U3A, will pay an annual subscription fee of $12.00 including GST. For this they can apply to enrol in any number of courses, in any of the options.
WHAT PARTICIPANTS SAY:
“The concept of U3A Online is brilliant. Many retired people are now computer literate and online. The program enables them, and especially those who cannot attend regular classes for whatever reason, the opportunity to ward off dementia by keeping their brains active.”
………
“I have a severe hearing loss which limits my participation in face to face situations.”
………
“Unfortunately I didn’t discover U3A on line whilst I was housebound looking after my husband. Since then I have enjoyed the courses as
a) I am 80 and not so mobile as I once was and
b) I am trying to do all the things I had to put on hold.
………
“The information has been presented beautifully.
Congratulations to all those who worked so hard behind the scenes. As a novice computer operator I have found access technically friendly. A huge plus.”
IMPORTANTNo pre-entry requirements ! No exams ! |
Go to the U3A Online website http://u3aonline.edna.edu.au and click on the link to the Courses List for all the information you need on study options and subjects and then click on How to Enrol, for details of enrolment procedures, costs and payment options.
For further information about U3A Online please go to the website or contact:
The Project Coordinator U3A Online Resources Ltd.
PO Box 308
Jamison Centre
ACT 2614
Email: info@u3aonline.org.au
Tel: 02 6251 7785
Fax: 02 6251 7935
An initiative funded by the Federal Government
U3A Online Resources Ltd.a not-for–profit public company limited by guarantee, operates: An Internet based facility with a strong focus on providing quality learning activities for older people.
Visit our website at http://u3aonline.edna.edu.au
or contact us: by phone (02) 6251 7785
or email
info@u3aonline.org.au