university of the third age – my experience phdr. soňa pokorná cooperation, need for...
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University of the Third Age – my experience
PhDr. Soňa Pokorná
COOPERATION, NEED FOR COMMUNICATION AND RESUMPTION OF DIALOGUE IN RELATION TO AGE-GROUPS
2nd International Conference, Częstochowa, 26th-28th June 2013
ContentsIntroduction The second life programmeUniversity of the Third AgeU3A at Comenius University U3A – my experienceU3A ClubPhoto GalleryLiterature
Introduction
The present-day changes of the society bring about new tasks to cope with by the aging population upon its retirement. The contemporary society forces also an older man to adapt to the new conditions as well as to shape his personality, to develop intellectually.
One of the most progressive ways to cope with the task is represented by the programmes of the further education.
Within the framework of Europe and Slovakia we distinguish several types of educational programmes and projects for older people based on specific conditions and possibilities of individual areas, regions and countries.
The second life programme
The second life programme for an aging population leaving active working life
Institutions of leisure education - progressive forms of lifelong education designed for seniors:
Universities of the third age Free time universities (France) Universities for all (France) Senior academies (the Netherlands, Germany) Academies of the third age (France)
to offer programme of activities responding to the conditions, needs and aspirations of older people
to provide for older people the right to education and participation in culture through the school policy oriented in that way
to organize congresses, symposia, workshops, realize researches, issue leaflets and information materials with the purpose to develop education of seniors
University of the Third Age (U3A)
The first University of the Third Age - prof. Pierre Vellas,Toulouse1973. The main aim of the U3A is:
University of the Third Age (U3A)
Decisive factors for study at U3A
Motivation; interest in the study; previous experience with the level of past knowledge, self-realization and level of aspiration
Motivation incentives:
an interest to improve one’s knowledge in a new branch a need to spend one’s free time more usefully a desire to study at a higher education institution a need of social contact a necessity to broaden one’s knowledge needed at work an effort to get equal to the surrounding community
Mission of the U3A
to realize special-interest education of seniors in HEIs
to contribute to securing the right of older people to education
to gain the highest possible number of those interested in education from among the older people
to contribute by their programme and concept to a high-quality use of the seniors’ free time
to create a new high-value life programme of the seniors
to help the pensioners at their transit to retirement and integrate them into the society
to contribute to broadening of one’s horizons, knowledge, clarification of facts still unknown to them, and to improve their cognitive functions
to contribute to psychophysical conditions of the seniors
to take part in the care for the older generation who deserve attention for their lifelong results
to slacken conservativism and dogmatism, to avoid desperation of the old men, solitude and fear of death
to contribute to improvement of interhuman relations and to foster positive self-evaluation and self-esteem
Functions of U3A
Social - for benefit of the society
Educational - acquiring knowledge
Health - improving health state
Psychological - no depressions
Research - subject of research
Working - U3A as a new lifestyle
Philosophical - new view of the world, new opinions on doings around them
Economic - saving finances of the health sector for treatments
CU University of the Third Age (CU U3A)
The first U3A in Slovakia - founded at the Comenius University (CU) in Bratislava, 1990, under the auspices of the Centre for Continuing Education
In the pilot year - 235 students, today 1834 students attending 32 study courses in 13 CU faculties. The most popular is Faculty of Arts that offers most attractive study courses – the humanities, social and natural sciences.
The study takes as a rule three years –the first year is general to be followed by2 years of specialised courses. After the three-year study the U3A offers the extension course to be open to all those interested in continuing the study.The study programme includes14 lecturesheld twice a month for two hours.
CU University of the Third Age
Model of study at U3A
1st year - generally aimed study (including subjects of general background)
2nd and 3rd year of study – specialised courses
extension lectures – offered to all those interested in study after the 3-year study U3A Club
Each year is completed by tests
CU University of the Third Age
Admission requirements: no entrance examinations - secondary education completed with secondary
school-leaving examination - the age of 50 and over
The admission is conditional on submitting the filled-out application form; an evidence of the previous education – a secondary school-leaving certificate or diploma; an evidence of tuition fee payment.
The academic year starts with immatriculation of the newly-enrolled students and is concluded by completing the 3-year study with a solemn graduation ceremony.
The academic year consists of winter and summer term at the end of which the students take tests or write a thesis (depending on the course studied). The mark (passed or failed) is entered in the student‘s record book.
The lecturers are teachers and research workers of higher education institution, Slovak Academy of Sciences and highly qualified experts from practice (ca 300 teachers).
CU University of the Third Age
Forms of education in the study programmes
lectures discussions seminars excursions brainstorming round table self-learning individual consultations exercises research projects others
Study courses for academic year 2013/2014 at CU U3A
Archeology II, III (incl. new students) Astronomy I Man and Nature III (incl. new students) History and Monuments of Bratislava I, II, III History of Christianity II History of Literature I History of Slovakia I General History II History of Performing Arts II, III History of Performing Arts I, II, III Theatre and Music I, II, III Empathic Assertiveness I, II Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology II, III Expressive Therapies I Philosophy III History and Culture of Austria II Gerontology I
Yoga I, II Balneology II Latin and Culture of Antique Rome III Medicaments and Health I, II, III Museology and Cultural Heritage I, II Computers and Informatization I, II, III Law II Psychology I, II, III Life and Culture of Italy II Regeneration of Psychophysical Strengths I, II Social work I World of Opera II, III Topography of Antique World III UNESCO I Gardening II (incl. new students) Journalism II (incl. new students)
U3A - my experience
Motivation
a necessity to make more efficient use of my free time
a need to develop my knowledge in different branches
a desire to make friends and new relations
the study programme Gerontology offered a good chance to learn more about my body and advice how to avoid age-related health problems
the chance to participate in interesting events and excursions organized by the U3A and its Club
the study programme of Psychology offers a good chance to learn also one‘s psychical disorders, besides physical problems learnt in Gerontology, and how to avoid them
U3A - my experience
GERONTOLOGY I Biological consequences of interaction of physical factors and biological
systems Starting points of clinical gerontology Gerontology in the light of the world-wide community concern Physical movement and rehabilitation of people in older age Laws of relations: Medicine-patient Psychical hygiene Psychical changes and diseases in older age The most remarkable dermatological illnesses Diseases of motor apparatus in older age Changes in eye conditioned by age Functions and diseases of gastrointestinal tract Illnesses of respiratory system Cardiovascular diseases in older age Climacterium and senium of woman and views of gynecology
U3A - my experience
PSYCHOLOGY II Counselling in Humanistic Psychology (+ seminar)
Personality from the view of S.Freud’s Classic Psychoanalysis (+seminar) Lifestyle, Family Constellations according to Individual Psychology of
A.Adler (+ seminar) Role of Mother and Father in the Present-day Family (+ seminar) Sexuality with seniors Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, Care for Disabled Person in Family Ethology of Animals and Psychology of Man Behaviour and Communication
Disorders in line with Evolution How to Hold Effective a Counselling Conversation with Client Treatise
U3A - my experience
CU U3A also offers further possibilities of spending free time - special-interest activities
The educational process at CU U3A is supplemented by various other educational and social events. Besides the lectures and seminars
the students are engaged in:
project activities, excursions, visits
language courses (English, German)
physical training, tours, walks (yoga, tourism)
summer courses (Modra)
social events (theatre, concerts,etc.)
U3A - my experience
After finishing the first year of the study in 2009 I made use of a recreational summer course in the beautiful surroundings of the Small Carpathians where a group of 70 seniors of various courses spent a nice week in the study centre of the CU Center of Continuing Education in Modra, 40 km from Bratislava. The morning lectures on healthy lifestyle, such as yoga exercises, eye yoga or foodstuff effects on a man‘s health included both – theory and practice. The afternoon swimming course was held by a coach.
The instructional part of the day was enriched by trips to a nearby castle Smolenice and a tour to DRINY, the well-known cave. Still more amusing and memorable was the last day of our stay in the Centre – the camp fire evening when we baked sausages, sang popular songs, talked stories, made new friends and wished the nice evening never ended.
U3A Club
The U3A Club was founded at the Comenius University in 1999 on the ocassion of International Year of Older Persons. It organizes educational, cognitive and social events throughout the year and I became its member in 2010.
The U3A Club‘s activities are organized as follows: January - Annual meetings February - Shrovetide eveningMarch – Visit of a celebrity, lecture/chatting April – Meeting a celebrityMay – Meeting at the end of academic yearJune – Trip to natureOctober – New Academic Year – a walk November – Meeting a celebrityDecember – X-mas meeting
Educational, cognitive, cultural and social events, meetings of celebrities, Mayor of the City, President of the Slovak League against Cancer, visit of Vienna (City), Kittsee (Hauswirth Chocolate Factory), Hainburg (Kulturfabrik-exhibition), walks, sightseeing of the City, tours, excursions, trips, etc.
Photo Gallery
Literature
Baláž, V.: Ako sa dožiť vysokého veku. Osveta. Martin 1983. Cirbes, M.: Didaktika dospelých.Obzor, Bratislava 1989. Hegyi, L.: Príprava na starnutie.In: Obohacovane života ľudí.1993. Hegyi, L., Krajčík, Š.: Sociálna gerontológia, Herba, 2010. Hrapková, N.: Štúdium na univerzitách tretieho veku (Study at
Universities of the Third Age) – podpora kvality života. www.cdvuk.sk
Thank you for your attention!