Will There Be An Online Over 60s Learning Revolution?

Falmouth University thinks so

Photo credit - Fizkes | Dreamstime.com

I am 72 and doing an MA in Poetry Writing through the Poetry School in London and Newcastle University. Most of the students in my cohort are Over 50. However, that is not typical in the UK where there is a decline in not just mature students – which means anyone Over 25 – but particularly the Over 60s applying to study at universities in a formal setting. Which is a huge shame because there are such obvious benefits from being in a stimulating, learning environment.

‘I believe there are benefits for both the individual and society in more Over 60s entering higher education. Younger members of the cohort can benefit from their experience and it may support greater understanding between generations and help to develop the skills for the future intergenerational workforce as well as possibly tackling isolation and loneliness as well as improving health and mental wellness.’ Professor Ross Fenton, co-chair of Forum for Access and Continuing Education.

Since Covid in 2020, Online Learning at Universities in the UK has increased substantially. According to the BBC – ‘Data from 50 of the 160 universities surveyed shows 28% of courses are being taught in a hybrid way, compared with 4.1% in 2018-19 before the pandemic.’ And I can see that as an older student myself, if my health was compromised or I couldn’t commit to certain hours because of grandparenting, for instance, then Online Learning at this level would create educational possibilities that didn’t exist before.

I put a question into our Advantages of Age FB group to find out how many members had done studies later in life and discovered that many had and some were online courses. One man said – ‘When I retired, I enrolled as a student at Rose Bruford College on their online degree course in Opera Studies. I had always loved opera and I saw this as an opportunity to deepen my understanding. I didn’t finish the course but had four brilliant years with excellent online tutorials and a readers’ ticket at the British Library.’

A woman said – ‘I was classed as a mature student at the ripe old age of 25 when I started medical school. Back in the 80s, you got a higher grant. Fast forward to my 60s when I did a PGCMedEd online. I absolutely loved the intellectual stimulation and was much more engaged in discussion groups and research than I’d ever have been when younger.’

Online study for Over-60s obviously brings all sorts of freedoms with it. Falmouth University are leading the way around this kind of online learning. ‘Our degrees’ and masters’ courses are studied 100% remotely,’ says Senior Digital Officer, Becky Timmins,’ at a time and place that suits you, so you can study around work, alongside childcare or caring commitments or just in a way that is a better fit for your lifestyle. Our courses help older students get back in the game and reinvigorate their creative practices in exciting new ways.’

Fiona Smith

I interviewed a couple of Falmouth’s older students to find out why they’d opted for online degrees. Fiona Smith, 64, lives in East Sussex, runs a holiday let and is studying for a BA in Photography. I asked her about her previous education and she took a deep breath and said – ‘At school I was considered to be educationally subnormal and was classified this was at the age of ten.’ I recoiled at this idea although it was the sort of thing that happened in the 50s and 60s when I was at school. ‘There was a special classroom down at the bottom of the field where the children who has all sorts learning difficulties were put together. At 16, I remember having lots of tests and the result was dyslexia. However, I didn’t receive any support around it. It was brushed under the carpet and I was skipping school because I felt so left out. I ended up leaving with a C in O level Art. I was very proud of that.’

Fiona worked initially as an office junior working her way up to becoming a manager of shoe shops, then was made redundant and found support for her dyslexia through the Job Centre. ‘I went on to study German which was fun and then Psychology when I also got lots of help.’ She was keen to carry on studying Art Design at University but had two children so it was when they had grown up, she looked again at doing a degree, this time in photography.

‘When I was 18, I did a developing film which was fantastic and so this seemed like a good direction to go in. I also have health issues – diabetes and ulcerated colitis – so studying online really suited my situation and I didn’t have to move to Falmouth to do it. It’s also very convenient to do it part-time. Falmouth have also been very supportive around my dyslexia and getting grants and help with writing essays. The reason for taking a degree was that I had never done this sort of educations and wanted to see if I could.’

What do you feel are the positives about studying as an older student? ‘I feel keeping the brain active is vital to one’s mental health and a way to stay active in later years. It is important to me to be able to keep up with technology. Doing an online degree certainly does this, especially a photography degree as there are a lot of technical aspects to it. Before the course, I felt I was starting to lose touch with my skills on the technology side and I did not want this to happen. I wanted to keep the grey matter going lol. Doing this course has really achieved that aim. I am now as good as I was in the past and very up to date technically. I can even do better than a lot of youngsters.’

And what is she enjoying about the learning environment? ‘The tutorials are fantastic, the one-on-one nature of them is confidence-building. And I like the video learning. The flexibility is amazing, I can pop into a meeting even if I’m on holiday in Spain.’ And is she considering making photography into career? ‘I’d love to but it’s a very saturated area and probably ageist too. In fact, I do want to do a project about older people and show that on the inside, they are the same as they were. There is no difference.’

Photo of Geoff Billet

Another older student at Falmouth University on the BA in Photography is 68 year old, Geoff Billet from Taunton who is proud of being the oldest on their course and smiles at the same time. How was his education? ‘Awful, it was the era of the slipper and the cane. I left at 16 with five O levels. I went on to do a National Diploma in Business Studies as the technical rather than academic route.’

After jobs in credit control and then qualifying as a psychiatric nurse, Geoff was simultaneously pursuing photography projects. ‘When community care came in, I documented what happened to the people who moved out of hospitals.They were much better off. That turned into an exhibition in Taunton.’ And then there were pilgrimages to Spain documenting gipsies and an exhibition in Bridgewater.

Now he finds himself in a position where his health is not brilliant. ‘I have diabetes and it’s too difficult for me to travel because my balance isn’t good nor my feet so taking on this BA online through Falmouth University is perfect. I am doing it over three years which means there is no pressure on me. I think as an older person I do bring some experience of life to the others on the course. I’m interested in expanding my knowledge of photography and areas of expertise. I’m already thinking of going on to do the MA.’

Recently I noticed in the news that 90 year old Maryette McFarland from Londonderry graduated with a degree in English Literature which she had studied online. ‘I’m very bad online but I had a lot of help from the family.’

So there is plenty of hope out there for an online revolution around learning for the Over 60s…