Osher Institute director and member to present at national Aging in America conference

Jane Dowrick, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute director, and Anita Kozakewicz, Osher member, have been invited to present a session at the 2012 Aging in America ASA Conference in Washington, DC, on March 31, 2012.

Their session, titled “Critical Thinking in the Adult Lifelong Learning Classroom,” encourages increased critical thinking in adult learning communities and aims to provide resources for introducing critical thinking into the adult learning classroom.

The session is inspired by the introduction of the “conversation cafe” model in an Osher class. When complex philosophical ideas were presented, students were better able to understand concepts and learned to listen to and value divergent ideas of fellow Osher students. The “converstion cafe” model is one of several successful models for effective dialog among adults that is replicable not only in the adult lifelong learner classroom but also in meetings and forums that seek to build understanding among adults with divergent opinions.

The session description explains the purpose of Dowrick and Kozakewicz’ presentation:

Learning without tests or grades, where adults are engaged in critical thinking and collaborative learning, opens up a new world to adult learners, most of whom are accustomed to a more passive learning model. Designed for leaders and learners alike, this session will equip you with some new ideas and tools to help adult learners make the transition to more engaging learning models and to ensure lively and stimulating adult learning experiences.

The Aging in America conference is an activity of the American Society on Aging (ASA). “The ASA Conference, with more than 3,000 attendees, is recognized as a showcase for programs and projects that can be replicated, a forum for policy discussion and advocacy, and a prime source of information on new research findings in aging. It is the largest gathering of a diverse, multidisciplinary community of professionals from the fields of aging, healthcare and education, along with business leaders from across the United States” (asaging.org/aia12).