History
What is Later Life Learning?
Later life learning, lifelong learning or Third Age learning – however named – provides opportunities for older adults to keep their minds active and challenged. Through interactive sessions, ideas are debated and discussed. Topics are broad, and may range from Spanish history, Middle East conflicts, China to-day, artificial intelligence, astronomy, art of movie making, environmental issues, comparative religion – almost anything you can imagine. In addition to intellectual stimulation, participants enjoy social interaction with peers – a critical element to combating loneliness which often occurs in later years whether due to age, location or income.
Third Age learning is an internationally recognized term for learning which engages people in their Third Age. One’s first age is childhood (our learning years), the second age is one’s working/family time of life (our earning years) and the third age is when one is retired and able to focus on one’s own interests.
Why A Network?
TAN, the Third Age Network, exists to support the rich social networks fostered by geographically dispersed local groups which are providing the learning and interaction described above.
The mandate of the Third Age Network (TAN) is to act as a cooperative network committed to the development, promotion and support of Third Age learning organizations by sharing information, mentoring and in general, providing assistance to groups of Third Age learners. TAN promotes a self-sustaining model of Third Age learning whereby seniors define, plan and manage the programs according to their self defined needs or wishes.
Given the diversity and geographically dispersed nature of our organization, opportunities for sharing knowledge and expertise occur at various levels in different organizations. TAN Member organizations are independent entities who provide mutual assistance through their relationships with each other as well as with the organization as a whole. The concept of a “network” seemed most appropriate for fulfilling the vision of the organization: the availability of self-organized interesting and innovative later-life learning programs for all Ontarians
History of TAN
In 2008, representatives of some Third Age learning groups in Toronto realized that much could be gained by sharing information about their operations, programs and possible links with educational institutions. Initially the meetings were very informal and primarily discussion based. By 2011 a website (thirdagenetwork.ca) was established and committees created to provide an infrastructure to undertake data collection, hold seminars and workshops and to begin to build a structure for the organization.
A comprehensive data collection was undertaken allowing groups to compare fees paid to speakers, different learning formats, class sizes, cost, and variety of locations where classes are held and what links might exist with local institutions. A list of speakers was created and shared amongst participants. In addition, workshops were held wherein participants shared their knowledge on topics such as registration protocols and software, financial management and best practices. In 2013, the first TAN conference was held at (then) Ryerson with the theme “No Limits to Learning”
In 2015 TAN was incorporated and since then, the initial Bylaws have been updated to reflect new legislation in Ontario. Any self managed organization which shares TAN’s vision may become a member to learn and contribute to the development of Third Age learning in Ontario.
Growth and Activities
Over the years, TAN has explored and developed ways in which member organizations can share and benefit from participation in the Network. For example,
- Biennial conferences from 2013 till Covid struck
- Symposium on “Boomers” and their potential impact on our activities
- Idea Exchanges online on relevant topics
- Recommended Speakers’ List
- Policy on Copyright and how to manage it
- Sample documents for use in hiring speakers