“When you are done with learning, so are you.”
The trite saying you’d expect to find in a Hallmark card shop can pretty much sum up the philosophical underpinnings of a Richmond-based program’s commitment to remaining relevant in today’s world through lifelong learning.
It’s called TALK (Third Age Learning Kwantlen).
As the name suggests, the events are held at Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Richmond campus, but there are, as the school’s promotional info states, no quizzes or grades. The only prerequisite is you be 50 or older.
“Everyone knows in order to keep your brain working properly you have to learn new things, keep active and meet new people. “That’s exactly what TALK is about,” said Jean Garnett, who chairs the TALK committees in both Richmond and Surrey KPU campuses, as well as the Philosphers’ Cafe locally — a TALK offshoot that promotes discussion.
Other strategies to keep your mind active can work, but are sometimes too narrowly focused, such as reams of Sudoko.
“It actually doesn’t make your brain any better if you’re not doing anything but Sudoko puzzles,” Garnett quipped. “You actually have to learn new things.”
TALK has a wide variety of topics lined up to do just that. During the course of the current fall session they include: Mexcio’s history and culture, the future of opera, and historical deja vu.
But aside from the topics being presented, TALK provides the chance to socialize, as well.
“Networking and listening to others is an important part, and we find especially with our controversial topics — for example genetically engineered foods — it’s interesting to get all the opinions around the table,” said Garnett, who was turned on to the idea of establishing TALK locally in 2003 following a presentation by TALK founder Joanne Cuniningham to the Richmond chapter of the Canadian Federation of University Women, a group to which Garnett also belongs.
Sold on TALK’s overriding message is Panteli Tritchew, a KPU instructor in applied communications and entrepreneurial leadership, who presents a class on creativity for TALK.
“I am a firm believer in lifelong learning, so any sort of project where people, particularly seniors, are involved is something that resonated with me,” Tritchew said. “I just think generally it’s a good idea, but even more so now given the rate of technology-driven change... People need to embrace lifelong learning, not only as an employability skill, but as a philosophy.
“With seniors, it’s definitely good for them to be involved. It keeps them engaged and in tune with what’s happening,” Tritchew said. “But even for graduates (younger people) their jobs are life long, hence the need for lifelong learning.”
Being involved with TALK also presents a unique opportunity for him.
“It’s a very different type of engagement, obviously, participants in the class have a lot more life experience,” he said. “So, it’s a different type of discussion, much richer.”
For more information on TALK, visit kpu.ca/talk.
