Ageing and Learning
About the adviser
I am a recently retired university lecturer, teaching in psychology and education. As an academic I have worked as a national education advisor providing support and advice to teachers, schools and educational organisations. I am a published author with a passion for learning!
Why ageing and learning?
Both these topics underpin all activities of the u3as. The “golden threads” you might say and ones I am passionate about sharing with you. Ageing, relates to changes in later life and has a wealth of research to underpin it, celebrating the creativity, adaptability and wisdom of those who have left formal education. Learning draws upon many disciplines such as psychology, neuroscience and education. Lifelong learning is actually the 4th pillar of ageing of the World Health Organisation and I believe learning is certainly for life!
My interest was sparked by the recent publication in u3a Matters Learn to Live and how the u3a model of non-formal learning is celebrated as a powerful way of learning. u3a - Learn to Live
Why is Painting and Drawing important in a Digital Age?
Painting and drawing aren’t just good fun. They carry with them a whole range of health and well-being benefits. These include improving your mood. Helping you to feel good about yourself. Replacing negative feelings with positive ones. Supporting language capacity and communication. Building fine motor skills through careful brush and pencil working. Art allows you to express your feelings and thoughts in a heathy way and lets you connect with like-minded people. It also provides an instant sense of achievement!
Read my latest article:
How learning a new language changes your brain
Learning a foreign language offers many benefits for all ages. u3a members can study a number of modern foreign languages led by our excellent tutors. Language learning can be a personally fulfilling and socially stimulating activity. It is one that increases understanding of new people.
Read my latest article:
My response to Learn to Live report
Read the article on our u3a blog, Sources.
In a recent article on our u3a blog, Sources, Harrogate u3a member Jonathan shares his response to the u3a Learn to Live report and its comments on the positive impact of non-forming learning. John says, "I know in my group I have learned so much from my colleagues. This is because the learning is active. We talk. We share ideas. We comment. We refer to other authors and books read. Everyone is learning!"
How I can help you
- Regularly post research in short knowledge bytes on this page
- Share some tips and ideas for living a fulfilled and active life
- Support group leaders on how learning underpins all our u3a group activities
- Capture members’ success stories and show how these are supported in research
- Write regular blogs for Sources and the u3a matters magazine
- Stimulate discussions around growing older and learning for life by creating networking and sharing opportunities for members across subjects
- Be a point of reference for members’ queries on-line.
Please contact me via my contact form. I’d love to hear what you are doing in your group. Let me know how I can support you too. Here is my NSL message:
Never Stop Learning!
