Date: 20 September 2005Time: 14:30- 16:30

Venue: Room 103, HK Council of Social Services

-Concept & Practice

Adult education providers: with no specific attraction, but hidden institutional learning barriers to older

adults Specific programmes for older adults

developed by adult or higher education providers:

such as free/low-fee programmes in the American community colleges Educational organisations run solely for

older people: such as Elderhostel

Educational organisations operated by, and for older learners:

such as University for the Third Age

(Findsen, 1999a, 2003, 2005)

-Concept & Practice Older Adult Education in Asian Countries Japan: elderly colleges (Inamino Gakuen)

of prefectural level in 1965 Korea: School for Senior Citizens in 1972 Taiwan: the first Evergreen College was

founded in 1982 China: University for the Aged (UA) in

1983 HK: Elderly course by the Hong Kong

Christian Service in 1984

-Concept & Practice

Institutes of Learning in Retirement (ILRs) ILRS began in 1962 in New York City. In 2004:

about 1,000 ILRs in the North American continent

Elderhostel Elderhostel is a confederation of tertiary

education institutes which serve as hosts, and organise infused travel-learning-vacation programmes for older adults, or ‘hostelers’, by making use of university or college campuses during term break. It began in 1975 with 5 colleges and universities in New Hampshire.

Concept & Practice

Senior User Computer Network : e.g. SeniorNet U3A Online ZAWiW (Centre for General Scientific

Further Training) Radio & TV University for the Senior: e.g. Air College by RTHK TV UA in Shanghai & Anhui Province

Cultural Difference between Australia & ChinaAttitudes Towards Society

中西文化差異：社會觀念

蘇格拉底

孔子

Democracy 民主(3 Essence 三元素 )

Reasoning Independent thinking Critical thinking

Social Harmony 社會融洽(5 Ethical Relationships 五倫 )

Ruler & subjectFather & SonHusband & wifeElder & YoungerBetween Friends

Cultural Difference between Australia & ChinaAttitudes Towards Society

中西文化差異：社會觀念

Influence of 5 Ethical Relationships

五倫的影响 Lateral vs. Hierarchical ( 平等 vs. 長幼有序 ) Seniority & Position in Family (家庭地位 ) Relationship in Society (社會地位 ) Superior /Senior should be respected (尊敬高位或年長者 )

Junior /young should be cared about (愛護屬下或年幼 )

Individualism vs Collectivism (個人主義 vs.集體主義

Cultural Difference between Australia & ChinaAttitudes Towards Society

中西文化差異：社會觀念

You discipline yourself => good family You discipline your family => good

society You discipline your society => good

State You discipline your => good country You discipline your country => world

peace 修身、齊家、治國、平天下

Cultural Difference between Australia & China

Goals of Education

中西文化差異：教育目標

西Western (Socrates)

中 Chinese (Confucius)

Know what you can &

know what you do not know Explore “how best to live"

>Education = inquiry of truth追求真理、知其不知

Produce capable men to serve government in key roles Cultivate character (through observation, study

& reflective thought)Education = path to success with great wealth & high status五育並重、成功之路

Cultural Difference between Australia & China

Educational Approach澳中文化差異 : 教育方法

Questioning

Evaluate knowledge Consider self-generated knowledge Doubt about knowledge Focus on errorSearch for knowledge,

not true belief 多發問、懷疑學問

Absorptive learning of

essentials Respectful learning

Collectivist learning Behavioral reform Pragmatic learning Effortful learningAffinity for poetic ambiguity尊師重道、勤有功、戲無益

Cultural Difference between Australia & China Teacher and Teaching

中西文化差異 : 教師與教學

Socrates Confucian Teacher: facilitate others to learn Nobody is wise enough to teach Teacher & Student can develop knowledge together教師與學生共同研究學問

Teacher: transmit knowledgeTeacher: bearer of knowledgeTeacher: model of student

教師為知識之源、指導學習

Cultural Difference between Australia & China 澳中文化差異 : 長者教育模式

5 Areas in Operation Layout: ‘F.L.O.A.T’ :

F Format

L Learning Content

O OverallObjectives

A Administration Pattern

T Tutor & Teaching

Cultural Difference between Australia & China 澳中文化差異 : 長者教育模式

Cultural Difference between Australia & China 澳中文化差異 : 長者教育模式

1.1 FormatSelf-help vs. Traditional School 模式 : 自助及傳統

U3A UA

System Self-helpMembership

Traditional School

Campus NoHired

Accommodation

FormalDesignated Campus

Run By Members On Volunteer Basis

Paid StaffWith Nominal Pay

Taught By Members On Volunteer Basis

Paid TutorWith Nominal Pay

Auspice AutonomousEntity

Under Govt/Busines

s

Melbourne Chinese U3A: Under Auspice & Supported by Evangelical Chinese Church

1.2 Learning Content Expressive vs. Instrumental

U3A UA

Major LearningOrientation

Pleasure, Interest

Knowledge, Coping Needs

Popular Subjects

Literature, Music, Current

Affairs

Health-related, Chinese

Calligraphy & Painting

Major End-result

Mental Stimulation

Pragmatic & Serve Society

1.3 Overall Objectives Personal Perspective vs. Macro-Perspective學習目的

U3A UA

Learning for its own sake and

Pleasure

追求學習樂趣

Learning for:1. Survival2. Health3. Contribution4. Pleasure

學有所養、醫、為、樂

1.4 Administration PatternDecentralised vs. Centralised: 行政管理

U3A UAManagement

StyleDemocratic Bureaucratic

Administered by

Volunteer Members

Paid/Appointed Staff

Headed by Elected Chairman & Committee

Council=>Principals=>A.

Staff=> A. Board

Election Annual No Election

1.4 Tutor’s Role : Informal vs. Formal 教師角色

U3A UA

1 Tutor = Member Tutor = Experts

2 Volunteering Formal Appointment

3 No Pay Pay or Allowance

4 No Qualifications Criteria

Formal Qualifications/ Expertise required

5 No Appraisal (voted by feet)

Formal Appraisal (assessed by subject panel)

1.4 Tutor’s Role : Informal vs. FormalU3A UA

6 Facilitator of knowledge pursuit

Teacher to transmit knowledge

7 Focus on knowledge

Focus on knowledge & behavioural change

8 Leader of Class Focal point of Class9 Peer relationship Model of behaviour

10 Equal status Lifelong respect by student

教師角色

> Started hydrotherapy Class for Nunawading U3A in 1993 > Teaches 4 Hydrotherapy Classes on Friday 水療班

Taught in Shenzhen University before retirement

Started teaching in SZUA since 1986 Most popular class: 108 students 教授中國古典文學

Sheila vs. Yuan: Roles with Older Learners

Sheila Yuan袁教授 No specific role after hydrotherapy

Same status as class members

teacher and friend even after class

Respected by students as: 1. mentor to help

improve quality of life 2. Coach to help build up better image 3. counsellor to give advice

Sheila vs. Yuan :Teaching Rationale 教師角色

Sheila Yuanfocus on hydrotherapy effect

hydrotherapy as means & end

mission of active citizenshippromote love of country classical literature is not the major aim

Differences Between Australian & Chinese U3As

4 Areas in Operation System (F.L.A.G.): 辦學糸統

F Fee-charging

L Lecturing Mode

A Assessment

G Graduation & Awards

2.1 Fee Charging: Membership Fee vs. Course Fee 收費

U3A UA Annual Membership No Membership Free to attend as many classes as s/he can in any U3A Membership Fee: A$15-50

Fee for each course/termFee for each course: A$10-40

Low cost & autonomy Mutual-help & learning

Basic Commitment to study Contribution to hire tutor

2.2 Teaching Mode: Discussion vs. Lecture教學方法

U3A UAEmphasis on Debate & active participation

Lecture with less interaction

Beijing East Region UA: Chinese Calligraphy Theory 北京東城老年大學

2.3 Assessment 評審方法

U3A UA No award & assessment

No examination

No assignment

Learning not for qualifications

Some: completion certificate based on attendance No exam. & some with assessment Some with assignment on voluntary basis Not for qualifications; awards = encouragement

Linghai UA: Stone Stamp Making ClassTutor was correcting a student’s layout 廣州岺海老年大學

2.4 Graduation Ceremony 結業典禮

U3A UA No graduation ceremony No intention to organise

Satisfaction from learning

Some: organise graduation ceremony Some: organise ‘grand’ ceremony if affordable Satisfaction from learning & formal recognition Graduation is a chance to involve family support

Commonalities of U3A & UA Benefits of Older Adult Education Most Economical Means Development of Older Adults’

Potential Use of Older Adults’ Capability Image of Ageing Population

in Hong Kong? 100% Self-help vs. UA with Traditional

Style? Profile of Ageing Population? Older Volunteering? Auspice organisation policy? Independence or Interdependence? A Modified U3A Model with Hong

Kong Characteristics?