The Ask OLLI blog is a resource for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute administrators to facilitate discussion on a variety of topics related to the creation and management of OLLI institutes nationwide.
Entries to the blog are called "posts" and can only be submitted by blog editors. Please contact Anne Cardale at the OLLI National Resource Center if you have an article suggestion for the AskOLLI editors.
Each post has a "comment" section where blog subscribers can submit their own remarks and responses to the post. A subscriber must be logged in to comment on a post. A login link is available at the bottom of the right-hand column, as well as at the end of each posting page.
Although the Ask OLLI blog is publicly viewable, commenting is closed to non-subscribers. For more information on Ask OLLI, or if you wish to create a subscriber account please contact Anne Cardale.
Terry Aaronson, OLLI at Florida State University, Asks OLLI:
Does your OLLI offer any classes designed around TED talks - and if so, how is it presented?
Chris Elliott, OLLI at the University of Oklahoma, Asks OLLI:
Does your OLLI offer peer led discussion courses? If so, what worked with peer led discussions, and what didn’t? Did the leaders choose the topics or did the members?
Beth Leconte, OLLI at the University of Rhode Island, Asks OLLI:
Has your OLLI offered courses in holistic health and wellness such as yoga, meditation, chakras, drumming, or mindful drawing? If yes, have they been successful?
Cathy House, OLLI at the University of Utah, Asks OLLI:
As a follow up to the December 2012 Ask OLLI post about online courses, what is your experience with offering online learning to OLLI members?
Katie Helms, OLLI at University of Arkansas, Asks OLLI:
Does your OLLI’s curriculum committee use a planning timeline? I am looking for a planning timeline that can help frame what the committee needs to be doing as well as how far in advance.
Documents may be emailed to Kyle at the National Resource Center, kallen@usm.maine.edu.
Maxine Doherty, OLLI at The University of Alabama Huntsville, Asks OLLI:
Does your OLLI offer opportunities for host-university graduate students to propose, prepare, and teach short courses/give lectures for OLLI members? If so, what criteria do you use to select the graduate students? Do you provide guidelines for submission of course proposals? If so, would you be willing to share the guidelines? Do you offer stipends or some form of remuneration to the graduate students selected? If so, is the remuneration on a “flat-rate” or number of hours taught basis?
Connie Hodgson, OLLI at the University of North Dakota, Asks OLLI:
Our mission has always been to make our OLLI accessible to all who wish to be involved. OLLI@UND is located on the far east side of the (rural) state with only one other site on the west side of the state. We believe offering online courses will give our OLLI increased visibility throughout the state, more adults can become involved, and hopefully that involvement will lead us to locations where we need to add additional sites. I would appreciate any and all guidance regarding online offerings for our OLLI members.
Barbara White, OLLI at California State University Long Beach, Asks OLLI:
Does your OLLI offer a volunteer program or have an established curriculum of community civic engagement for your members? If so:
Kathleen Dorn, OLLI at the University of Arkansas, Asks OLLI:
How do you recruit emeritus or retired faculty to become involved with your OLLI?
Dee Aguilar, OLLI at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Asks OLLI:
If your OLLI offers computer courses, please help us by answering the following questions:
a. Who develops/provides the course curriculum?
b. Are courses taught by member volunteers?
c. How do you recruit volunteers?
d. Who trains volunteers to teach these courses?
e. How challenging is it to keep the volunteers?
May we contact you with additional questions?