It’s Time to Get Online Savvy Seniors

More than half of U.S. adults over the age of 65 are online, from surfing the web to checking email, a new study suggests. Pew Internet & American Life Project found that 53% of seniors use the Internet. Although this demographic is still less likely to go online than younger age groups, it shows that this population is going online more than ever before.

If this is true, then Lifelong Learning’s Facebook page should have more fans. What is holding you back from jumping on the social media bandwagon? A fear of technology? Identity theft? Or, that your old high school sweetheart may find you? 

I have heard numerous excuses over the past few years from lifelong learners, such as “it’s too complicated for me” or maybe “I’ll get my grandchildren to explain it.” Regardless of the reason given, some of you are avoiding the new technologies that can add to the quality of your – and even your families’ – lives out of fear.

Facebook may have started as a site for traditional college aged students, but the fastest growing group of Facebook users today is seniors. So, don't be afraid to learn about and use some of the wonderful new social media and technological gadgets that come out in our society. There are numerous free classes that libraries and local high schools offer to teach you how to use these resourceful sites and devices.  Many of them make our lives a little easier, others stimulate our brains and then others are just for pure enjoyment. Don't be fearful and think that you'll never get the hang of it. Of course it's important to have someone in your life that has the willingness and patience to teach you how to become familiar with all these gadgets. It is also important to be careful about the information that you do put on the internet, so just make sure you're open to learning new things and take your time. Remember also to take notes to refer to when you get stuck. Pretty soon this will become a part of your everyday life. 

You can start now by finding us on Facebook by searching- Florida Atlantic University Lifelong Learning Society-Jupiter. See you online!

Access Denied: When Education is Prohibited

This past week, while working on a program that will be presented in the spring semester for the Lifelong Learning Society, I discovered that the denial of higher education in other countries is extremely prevalent. While I was not necessarily shocked that students are being denied education, I was taken aback by the lengths that these students will proceed to obtain a denied education and the atrocities that they endure.

The right to education has been universally recognized since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and has since been preserved in various international conventions, national constitutions and development plans. However, while the vast majority of countries have signed up to, and approved, these rights, far fewer have integrated these rights into their national constitutions or provided the legislative and administrative frameworks to ensure that these rights are practiced. The right exists in theory but there is no way to apply this right in practice. Today, the right to education is still denied to millions around the world.

Therefore, if people have access to education they can develop the skills, capability and confidence to obtain other rights. Education gives people the ability to gain information specifying the rights that they hold, and government’s obligations. It assists people to develop the communication skills to demand these rights, the confidence to speak in an assortment of assemblies, and the ability to work with government officials and power holders. In addition, an educated adult population is imperative for strong economic development. It also sets the groundwork for better overall economic productivity, and the use of new technologies for development. 

Education can have several definitions because people can choose to become educated for many different reasons; increase knowledge, improve self-confidence, pursue a dream or educate others. It does not matter what the reason is, the main objective is that an education is to reach goals that will help people better themselves in a variety of ways. Now imagine what the world would be like without education. Are we already there?  

Volunteering: Helping Yourself While Helping Others

The benefits of volunteering are enormous to you, your family, and your community. The right match can help you find friends, reach out to the community and learn new skills. This week we held our annual fall Lifelong Learning Greeter Orientation. It is always a pleasure to see our volunteers come back after the long summer break eager and ready to volunteer for our lectures, courses and special events. 

One of the major benefits I feel that come from volunteering is that it protects your mental and physical health. It can provide a boost to your self-confidence, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. As a volunteer you are helping others and the community, which provides a natural sense of accomplishment. Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride and identity. The better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life.

At Lifelong Learning, we could not operate our lectures, courses or special event programs without our volunteers. With over 100 Lifelong Learning volunteers, who include our advisory board, committee members and greeters, we are grateful for the extra helping hands!

One of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships at Lifelong Learning is to commit to a shared activity together-such as volunteering. This is a great way to meet new people, especially if you are new to an area. Volunteering also strengthens your ties to the program and broadens your support network, exposing you to people with common interests along with fun and fulfilling activities.

There are several perks to volunteering as a class greeter for Lifelong Learning. You must first:

• Become an LLS member. Annual membership costs $35 and offers many benefits. 
• Purchase and wear an LLS greeter shirt- an attractive, easy-care blue cotton polo shirt (see picture above). The shirt costs $23.

The benefits of becoming a greeter include:

• Attending the class at which you are greeting for free.
•  A free parking decal if you are greeting at a class that runs multiple weeks.

You’re giving us your valuable time, so it’s important that you enjoy and benefit from your volunteering experience. It’s important to make sure that your volunteer position is a good fit and to communicate with the people you’re working with here at Lifelong Learning.

If you are interested in volunteering with Lifelong Learning, please visit our website at www.llsjupiter.com and click on the icon Life at LLS.

Ten Things to Do Before Classes Start at Lifelong Learning

It’s that time of year! Lifelong Learning classes will begin October 9 and I have compiled a list of things that you should do, or prepare for, before classes begin. 

1. Did you get your tickets in the mail? Check the date and time! We would not want you to make the trip out to Lifelong Learning, though we love see your smiling faces, if there is no class during a particular week.
2. Put your parking decal in your car. If you forget your decal, or it is not visible, you could get a parking ticket. If you do forget your decal you will have to park at a metered spot in visitor parking. Lifelong Learning does not have the authority to cancel the ticket and you will have to pay the fine.   
3.  Register online. Unfortunately, we cannot take registrations over the phone. We do not want you to miss out on your favorite classes so visit our website www.llsjupiter.com and register today! 
4. Buy your one-day lecture tickets in advance. If you purchase your ticket on the day of the event there will be an additional $5 charge.
5. Pay for classes with a credit card or cash. There is a new university policy that if your registration was paid for by check your Social Security number must be included in addition to your direct deposit information if you request a refund before classes start. FAU NO LONGER ISSUES PAPER CHECKS.  
6.  Join our Facebook page! You cannot hide from social media…it is everywhere. We update our page periodically with contests and information. It is a great tool for you to share your Lifelong Learning experience and connect with your friends and family! 
7. Bring a jacket or sweater with you to class. The auditorium and classrooms can be very cool sometimes and we want you to enjoy your class. 
8.  Invite your friends! For only $10, anyone can attend a single class session of a course without taking the entire course. Explorer Tickets are purchased in the auditorium on the day of the class. You can purchase one for a four week course and up to two per student for each 6- or 8-week course. There is a $10 credit if you sign up for the entire course the same day. This excludes one-time lectures or events. 
9. Plan to arrive early for sold out classes. Lifelong Learning has plenty of parking, but we encourage you to arrive a little early to get your seats. We do not allow seat saving.
10.  Finally…cancel your golf games this winter if you play on Tuesdays. Dr. Morton will be teaching on Tuesdays during the 2013 winter semester!

We are looking forward to seeing all of you this fall! It’s going to be a great year!

It's Time to Vote!

This is not a post about politics or political parties. This post is focused on an interesting article that I came across in US News Weekly titled, “Why Older Citizens are More Likely to Vote.”

I did not find the title of the article surprising. I know that the majority of voters tend to be older citizens, but what I did find interesting were the statistics on voters’ ages. According to the article, “some 61 percent of citizens age 65 and older voted in the November 2010 election, the best turnout of any age group. More than half (54 percent) of those ages 55 to 64 also cast a ballot. In comparison to the youngest demographic that is allowed to vote. “Not even a quarter (21 percent) of the youngest citizens—ages 18 to 24—entered a voting booth in 2010.”

The main reason for this voter turnout may be that it was not a presidential election year, but the  article suggested several other reasons. First, older voters want to protect government benefits such as Social Security and Medicare. Second, they are less mobile and are usually situated in one place and registered to vote. Third, they have the time to go out and vote. Finally, it is more of a social norm for older individuals to vote. They think of themselves as voters and are proud to participate in elections.

After reading this article, a thought came to me. Each generation of voters can learn from each other. I am always looking for a bridge between two generations! 

• Every vote counts. Encouraging younger populations to get out and vote is important. Just as I stated above, older voters care about voting and hold a sense of pride because they are voters. This needs to be instilled in today’s young voters.

• Technology plays a significant role in politics. When mobilizing individuals to go out and vote technology is a major driving force, especially through social networking. Older voters can definitely learn from younger voters when it comes to utilizing technology during election time.

• Younger voters need to connect early on with politics. Building a relationship with the political process early on is essential to making it a lifelong habit that older voters have acquired. If you’ve always voted in elections, you’ll be much less likely to pass over a vote in the future.

Regardless of political affiliation, participation is important so that voters elect leaders who represent the needs of both young and old alike in our country. So I encourage Lifelong Learners to get on Facebook to encourage your children and grandchildren to get out and vote. If you do not have a Facebook account, ask them to help you create one!

Source:

Brandon, E. (2012). Why Older Citizens are More Likely to Vote. US Weekly News. Retrieved from http://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/articles/2012/03/19/why-older-citizens-are-more-likely-to-vote