The Lifelong Learning Institute

Several bloggers on this site have noted how fortunate Kendal at Granville is to have Denison University so close at hand. That's very true. But today I want to get in a plug for another valuable neighbor, the Central Ohio Technical College. I mention this because, less than a year ago, COTC brought the Lifelong Learning Institute onto its Pataskala campus. And this action has opened up another grand learning opportunity for Kendal residents.

In case you haven't heard of the Lifelong Learning Institute (and I hadn't), let me fill you in on a little background. Its stated purpose is to provide "educational opportunities for mature learners in Central Ohio." More specifically – and I continue to quote from a brochure it produced – it aims at helping seniors "broaden and extend their knowledge, share their life experiences," and "interact socially with other lifelong learners."

Its course offerings feature subjects in the traditional arts and sciences, including studies in philosophy, spirituality, and economics. But in its goal of being useful, LLI also offers courses on topics related to national and world affairs. Since the wider Columbus area boasts a wealth of persons whose combined expertises cover a diverse set of fields, LLI has a rich range of potential faculty to choose from, and so the instructors of these courses come to their LLI assignments with commitment, instructional experience, and deep knowledge. An annual fee of $90.00 allows an LLI member entry into any and all of the course offerings.

I first became aware of the LLI in the fall of 2011 and almost immediately requested a catalogue of winter courses. When it arrived, it proved a delight. The upcoming offerings included full courses on "A History of the Movies," the "Geology of U.S. National Parks," the role of "Ohio in the Civil War," a survey of "Immigration Law and Policy: Facts, Myths, and an Analysis of the Political Landscape," and an "Introduction to Thomas Merton."

The winter catalogue also listed a series of one-off Coffee and Conversation Events. Notable among them was "An Introduction to Buddhism," a topic made particularly salient in this region by the recent decision of a Thai Buddhist community to build a temple in Pataskala. Another Coffee and Conversation Event was "An Introduction to Social Media," an event aimed perhaps as much at those who follow current trends in society as at those (in the mature learner set) who find themselves struggling to keep up with the world of their grandchildren. Other Coffee and Conversation events focused on financial exploitation; the history of Columbus's famous old department store, Lazarus; and the future of iPads, smart phones, electronic readers, and other varieties of mobile technology.

What a menu!

Since my wife and I are enthusiastic subscribers to Netflix and frequent viewers of Turner Classic Movies, I decided that I would take my first plunge into the world of LLI by signing up for "A History of the Movies." It turned out to be a happy choice. Along with perhaps thirty other mature learners – as you've noticed, that's LLI's flattering jargon for its audience – I spent four Friday mornings in January learning about the invention of the technology that made moving pictures possible, about the talkie-revolution, about the marketing of movies, about the rise and fall of the studio system, about the effects of television on the film industry, and about the technological marvels that are yet again transforming America's preeminent entertainment industry.

And of course we saw lots of clips. From early silents (including European efforts). From Birth of a Nation. From the glorious 1920s. From the annus mirabilis of 1939. Shots of famous chases, races, kisses, and explosions. Lots of iconic film history images. And a knowledgeable class of mature learners was always at the ready to chip in with their own recollections and judgments.

As for our instructor, he was lively, informed, entertaining, and organized. His background was in the theater, and he had a personal film library to die for. Who could ask for anything more?

So what am I getting at? Just this: judging from my own experience, we at Kendal at Granville now have a new avenue for exploring our world and a new way of meeting fellow explorers. For this opportunity we owe COTC and the Lifelong Learning Institute much gratitude. (And while you're offering thanks, be sure to write away for a copy of the spring catalogue.)