The Gabber - July 9, 2020

OLLI Offers All-Access Smorgasbord for Summer

By Jeff Donnelly

CATHY SALUSTRI

OLLI student Bonnie Rickus shows off a sizable lunch during one of OLLI’s pre-pandemic field trips.

Students can still enjoy all-access passes to OLLI’s online offerings through the summer.

Feeling bored with summer already? The Osher Lifelong “We train the instructor ahead of time, and we generally Learning Institute at Eckerd College recently announced get on with an instructor a half an hour before the course a new All-Access Class Pass that allows unrestricted is actually delivered to make sure there aren’t any last participation in its online, non-credit classes and activities minute hiccups.” scheduled for Summer 2020 (July-August).

Salak, who’s taken several OLLI courses online already, The program – described as “One Price. One Registration. thinks they work well.

Unlimited Learning” – offers 31 courses as well as social “They have tech available if there are problems,” he says. activities that folks can participate in from their own home But how do online classes compare to “the real thing”? using Zoom.

Salak is quick to point out the advantage of digital learning.

“The single fee is a good deal if you are attending a In-person (non-pandemic) classes have a limited number of number of classes,” says OLLI member Ken seats, he says, and people can miss out. Bu, Salak, noting that a typical course costs $10 “online they can handle a larger class.” for members and $15 for non-members. “By using Zoom, we’ve Baisley also sees benefits to the online He adds, “It also makes class registration drawn in some of our platform. easier.”

“Our summer enrollment is always our lowest “As I see it, the single registration is a snowbirds; we draw in season, as many residents are off to summer real bargain for all and any classes,” says attendees from as far homes and summer is still considered Angela Baisley, another member who is also ‘vacation’ from regular attendance to classes,” away as Toronto for she says. “However, by using Zoom, we’ve part of OLLI’s Curriculum Committee. “The offerings are widely varied – from History the book discussions!” drawn in some of our snowbirds; we draw in to Science to the Performing Arts – and attendees from as far away as Toronto for attending from the comfort of our homes the book discussions!” (where one can just step out of the shower and turn on Speaking of book discussions, the OLLI program isn’t the class!) is good.” strictly limited to classes. Recognizing that school can Since physical distancing became a necessity in early be as much about a social experience as it is broadening April, all OLLI courses have been using the Zoom platform. intellectual horizons, the All-Access program will include “It stated out a little bumpy at first,” says Bob Salerno, social activities.

Chair of the OLLI Curriculum Committee, and member of the “We do Zoom Social Hours,” says Salerno, “both in the advisory council. He notes that potential students and even evening and they’ve done Saturday morning brunches, some teachers might be reluctant to leap into e-learning for and we’re actually starting a trivia night!” fear of technical challenges or a concern over the quality The price for an All-Access pass is $75 for OLLI of the digital experience, versus in-person learning. members, $90 for non-members, and the pass must be But Salerno describes a thorough preparation process purchased by Tuesday, July 14. Registration is open now to sidestep technical difficulties. at eckerd.edu/olli.

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theGabber.com | July 9 - July 15, 2020