QA Forum
Welcome to the Q&A Forum
We were discussing Lifelong - Lifewide Learning
With Barbara Pamphilon, Dorothy Braxton, Mary Hannan and Gloria Robbins
Learning is for everyone, at any time, in any place. There are a diverse and exciting range of avenues for lifelong and lifewide learning available in Australia. Adult learning can happen in a University or TAFE studying everything from A to Z ( arts to zoology!), in a club or community group (like bushwalking, astronomy, crafts or mechanics), in a gallery or a museum, in your home on the computer or your neighbour’s garden pruning roses.
Australian universities today have a number of students over 50 and the University of the Third Age have a special focus on learning specifically for seniors.
This forum aims to spread the word on the wonderful options out there for learning, whether you would like to extend your knowledge or start something new, you can do it. This forum also aims to break down any misconceptions about types of learning and who learning is for. Learning is for everyone, at every level, in every capacity.
You can ask a question and a member of our panel will answer it online. You can also look through some of the useful resources available in Australia for lifelong - lifewide learning.
You can also read a short background to our wonderful panel members: Barbara Pamphilon - University of Canberra, Dorothy Braxton - University of the Third Age Online, Mary Hannan - Adult Learning Australia, Gloria Robbins - Volunteers for Isolated Students Education.
The following questions were answered:
| Question 1: | How do I change the icon of a folder within a My Documents folder? I have searched the w98 help file but to no avail... | View Answer |
| Question 2: | How do I save .pdf files? I have w98 and, IE browser and use dial-up. I can't save .pdf files in either My Documents or IE Favorites even though I tick the 'make available off line' check box. The files' properties indicates 'error downloading URL'. | View Answer |
| Question 3: | My new Dell keyboard, when typing reverts to small fonte, no caps lock on help! | View Answer |
| Question 4: | I am interested in taking a creative writing course for seniors online - can you help me? | View Answer |
| Question 5: | Could you please advise me as to whether you have U3A classes in Far North Queensland - CAIRNS? | View Answer |
| Question 6: | I am a 53 years old, Sydney based woman. I have a marketing/marcoms background and have run my own marcoms consultancy for 10 years. I am an
Australian citizen but my education was in the UK. I have 9 'O'Level and 3 'A' Level GCE's and a Higher National Diploma in Business with Languages (pass degree equivalent). I now wish to go back and study and change direction. TEFOL is one of the areas I am considering. I have 2 questions: 1. Would my UK education qualify me for university here? 2. Would I qualify for mature age retraining assistance and/or HECS/HELP? Many thanks for your assistance. |
View Answer |
| Question 7: | Do you know about the AMES computer training books. In my experinece the books for dummies are too hard for computer beginners. | View Answer |
| Question 8: | How do I learn to use microsoft word 2000? | View Answer |
| Question 9: | I'm currently doing my cert.III, in aged care and I'm looking for information on the affects social isolation on the ageing. I would appriciate any information on such web sites if any. thank you. | View Answer |
| Question 10: | Hi, my name is Zafirah and I work for the Fairfield Migrant Resource Cente, as the Multicultural aged worker. I was recently told about the Windows UP program for people of 45, I was wondering if you could tell me a bit more about this program? | View Answer |
| Question 11: | I am seeking help in changing my career direction. I am currently working full-time but am seeking an analysis of my attitudes, skills and qualifications and guidance in moving into other fields in the education area . Can you tell me where I might find this type of support? I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible. | View Answer |
| Question 12: | Do you run any (free or low cost) senior computer training programs in Melbourne West area (Sydenham/Brimbank)? If you need any volunteers for training (teach in basic computers, Internet, etc.), happy to help for free. I currently work as a Computer System Administrator. (NOT looking for employment) | View Answer |
| Question 13: | Do you recommend a way of running a reading group? I am interested in setting one up around all genres for people in my community. Are there any publications on how to run a group that you would recommend? | View Answer |
| Question 14: | How do I apply for a course if I am not Australian? I am living in Australia as a permanent resi, but not a citizen? | View Answer |
| Question 15: | What courses do I take if I am interested in teaching but don't have any other degrees? What if I want to teach something in particular, like history? | View Answer |
| Question 16: | I'm retired and live on my own in a small place in Tasmania, too far for me to access the university in Hobart or community classes on a regular basis. Can you suggest something I can do? Perhaps some sort of course online? I don't want to spend a fortune but want to keep my brain from becoming atrophied. - Meg | View Answer |
| Question 17: | I use my daughters computer in town, she helps me all the time. How often would volunteers be able to come out to help me in my home? | View Answer |
| Question 18: | Is it going to cost a great deal to set up a computer at home? Weekly? Monthly? | View Answer |
| Question 19: | What is the best was to learn more about computers? I have a basic knowledge but would like to learn more eg photos, cards designing for birthdays and anniversaries, and what games and software and how secure is my computer. | View Answer |
| Question 20: | Can mature aged students receive HECS? | View Answer |
| Question 21: | How do I find a learning group? | View Answer |
| Question 22: | How much does it cost to do the average online course? | View Answer |
| Question 23: | How much time would I need to set aside to complete an online course and would I need to be very good on the computer? | View Answer |
| Question 24: | If I set up one of the circles, do I contact you (Mary) to get help to start and all the information? | View Answer |
| Question 25: | What level of study can I enter into? There seems to be Bachelors and certificates, how does it work for us | View Answer |
| Question 26: | I am 55 and plan to retire next year. I would love to go to university but I think I am too old to study with 18 year olds?! | View Answer |
| Question 27: | I am a resident of a Retirement Village. A group of us have been meeting for over twelve months over a cup of tea/coffee. We would like to start discussing topics of interest and concern to us but have no idea how to start the conversation in a constructive way. Can you suggest a process? | View Answer |
| Question 28: | I have always envied my friends who went to university straight from school and now that my children are in high school I am thinking I might give it a go as the local university has some degrees I am interested in, but I am very worried that I cant use computers - would that be a big problem? | View Answer |
| Question 29: | In Internet Explorer, when I want to read a web page I often find the small text is hard on my eyes. Is there a way I can increase the size of the text? | View Answer |
| Question 30: | My daughter has been offered a post on a property 100k from Alice Springs. Her 8 year old son would be enrolled in the Alice Springs School of the Air. He has reading problems. What help would he be able to access? | View Answer |
| Question 31: | When I was at school I was told I was not university material and so I left when I was 15 . I know that I don’t have a good background for study – can I go to an adult high school? | View Answer |
