Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
1
O S H E R L I F E L O N G L E A R N I N G I N S T I T U T E
( O L L I ) A T U N L V : S U R V E Y R E P O R T
F A L L 2 0 1 4
Takashi Yamashita, Ph.D.
Jennifer R. Keene, Ph.D.
Erick B López, M.A.
Jennifer Stevens, MA.
Marta Soligo, M.A.
Department of Sociology, University of Nevada Las Vegas
2
Table of Contents
Executive Summary ................................................................................................... 4
Introduction ................................................................................................................ 5
Sociodemographic Characteristics ............................................................................. 6
OLLI Participation ...................................................................................................15
Recommendations from OLLI Participants .............................................................29
Appendix ..................................................................................................................35
Tables
Table 1: What is your gender? ................................................................................... 6
Table 2: What is your age? ........................................................................................ 6
Table 3: What is your race/ethnicity? ........................................................................ 7
Table 4: What is your current marital status? ............................................................ 8
Table 5: How many years of formal education do you have in total? .....................10
Table 6: Please indicate your total household yearly income..................................11
Table 7: Do you own a house/condo as your residence? .........................................12
Table 8: Including yourself, how many people live in your household? ................13
Table 9: In which U.S. state were you born? ...........................................................14
Table 10: Have you participated in OLLI at UNLV as a student before this
semester? ..................................................................................................................15
Table 11: Have you participated in OLLI at UNLV as an instructor before this
semester? ..................................................................................................................15
Table 12: How long have you been an OLLI at UNLV member? ..........................16
Table 13: How many OLLI at UNLV classes are you currently taking? ................17
3
Table 14: If you travel longer than 30 minutes, how long do you travel to the OLLI
class-site where you go most often? ........................................................................21
Table 15: Do you participate in OLLI with your friends? .......................................21
Table 16: Have you regularly engaged in any self-learning activities such as
reading books, news articles and journals this semester? ........................................22
Table 17: What motivates you to participate in the OLLI program? ......................23
Figures
Figure 1: What is your highest education degree earned? ......................................... 9
Figure 2: Overall, how would you rate OLLI at UNLV? ........................................24
Figure 3: How would you rate your learning outcomes this semester? ...................25
Figure 4: Overall, how would you rate the OLLI instructors' effectiveness in your
class(es)? ..................................................................................................................26
Figure 5: In the past month, would you that in general your health is... .................27
Figure 6: What about your emotional health—how good do you feel or how
stressed, anxious or depressed you feel? .................................................................28
4
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This project was designed to achieve two goals: (1) to provide the Osher Lifelong
Learning Program (OLLI) at UNLV useful information about their membership for
further improvement, and (2) to examine the effect of lifelong learning on a variety
of outcomes including health and well-being. During fall 2014, 456 OLLI at
UNLV members completed the online survey developed by UNLV researchers.
This report provides selected findings from the survey.
Key Findings
72% of the respondents are women.
90% of the respondents are White.
74% of the respondents are highly educated (i.e., bachelor’s degree or
higher).
79% of the respondents have been OLLI members for 0-4 years.
UNLV Paradise Campus is the most popular location.
81% of the respondents joined OLLI at UNLV for educational opportunities.
88% of the respondents were highly satisfied with the OLLI at UNLV
program.
Selected Recommendations for OLLI at UNLV
Based on these survey results, our recommendations center around six themes: the
diversity of OLLI’s membership, educational gaps among OLLI members,
scheduling and transportation challenges, members’ interests and motivations,
OLLI’s geographic reach, and infrastructure.
Recruit more men and provide more social support to older men.
Reach out to racial/ethnic minorities in the Las Vegas community.
Provide customized lifelong learning courses for older community members
who do not have higher education experience.
Revise the class schedule to enable members to take multiple courses at one
visit.
Strengthen the educational components of the courses.
Offer more courses at satellite campuses.
Improve some of the infrastructure such as communication methods, audio-
visual equipment, and bathrooms.
5
INTRODUCTION
This project was designed to achieve two goals (1) to provide the Osher Lifelong
Learning Institute (OLLI) at UNLV useful information about its membership for
further improvement, and (2) to examine effect of lifelong learning on a variety of
outcomes such as health and well-being. In collaboration with the OLLI at UNLV
staff members, UNLV researchers conducted an online survey of 456 OLLI at
UNLV participants in fall 2014. This report presents descriptive summary statistics
and major themes identified through content analysis of participants’ comments
and recommendations. For more detailed methodological information, please see
Appendix I.
For more information, please visit our website at
https://unlvolli.wordpress.com/home/
6
SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS
Table 1: What is your gender?
Female 72.80%
Male 27.72%
Total 100.00%
n = 404
Main finding (Table 1): The majority of OLLI participants are female (72%).
Table 2: What is your age?
Average 71.9
n = 403
Main finding (Table 2): The average age of OLLI participants is 72 years old.
7
Table 3: What is your race/ethnicity?
White 373
Black or African American 11
Hispanic 18
Other 12
Total 414
n = 414
*Data presented in raw number, not percentage
Main finding (Table 3): The vast majority of OLLI participants are White (373
out of 414). Hispanics are the second largest racial/ethnic group (18 out of 414),
followed by Others (12 out of 414) and then African Americans (11 out of 414).
8
Table 4: What is your current marital status?
Married/Living Together 55.05%
Not Married 44.95%
Total 100.00%
n = 416
Main finding (Table 4): Slightly more than half (55%) of OLLI participants are
married.
9
Figure 1: What is your highest education degree earned?
10
Table 5: How many years of formal education do you have in total?
Average 16.33
Min. 2
Max. 25
n = 411
Main finding (Table 5): OLLI members have an average of 16 years of formal
education, which is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. Some OLLI members have
as much as 25 years of formal education (equivalent to a doctoral degree), while
others have 2 years of formal education (equivalent to an associate’s degree or
some college).
11
Table 6: Please indicate your total household yearly income.
Less than $25,000 9.33%
$25,000-49,999 26.94%
$50,000-74,999 22.54%
$75,000-99,999 15.80%
$100,000 or more 25.39%
Total 100.00%
n = 386
Main finding (Table 6): More than one third (38.34%) of OLLI participants have
a household income of $50,000 to $99,999 per year. One quarter (25.39%) of
respondents have a household income of $100,000 or more per year and 9.33%
have a household income less than $25,000.
12
Table 7: Do you own a house/condo as your residence?
Yes 86.31%
No 13.69%
Total 100.00%
n = 409
Main finding (Table 7): The majority of OLLI participants (86.31%) own a house
or a condo as their residence.
13
Table 8: Including yourself, how many people live in your household?
1 person 37.91%
2 people 58.10%
3 people 2.99%
Total 99.00%
n = 401
*Selected response 3% or more per household size
Main finding (Table 8): The majority of OLLI participants (58.10%) live with
one other person. More than one third (37.91%) of OLLI participants live alone.
14
Table 9: In which U.S. state were you born?
New York 21.39%
California 8.82%
Illinois 8.29%
Ohio 6.42%
Michigan 6.15%
Pennsylvania 5.35%
Wisconsin 4.81%
Total 61.23%
n = 374
*Selected response: 4% or more form same state
Main finding (Table 9): Close to one quarter (21.39%) of OLLI participants were
born in New York State. About 8% of respondents were born in California and
Illinois each. Similarly, about 6% of respondents were born in Ohio and 6% were
born in Michigan.
15
OLLI PARTICIPATION
Table 10: Have you participated in OLLI at UNLV as a student before this
semester?
Yes 86.23%
No 13.68%
Total 100.00%
n = 424
Main finding (Table 10): The majority of respondents (86.32%) participated in
OLLI prior to semester they took the survey.
Table 11: Have you participated in OLLI at UNLV as an instructor before this
semester?
Yes 14.66%
No 85.34%
Total 100.00%
n = 423
Main finding (Table 11): Less than 15% of respondents served as an OLLI
instructor prior to semester they took the survey.
16
Table 12: How long have you been an OLLI at UNLV member?
0-12 mos. 22.17%
1 year – 4 years 56.84%
5 years – 8 years 12.50%
9 years – 13 years 3.77%
14 years – 20 years 4.25%
I am a founding member of OLLI (20+ years) 0.47%
Total 100.00%
n = 424
Main finding (Table 12): More than half (56.84%) of respondents have been
members of OLLI for 1-4 years. Close to one quarter (22.17%) of respondents
have been OLLI members for 0-12 months. Lastly, about 4% of respondents have
been members of OLLI for 14-20 years.
17
Table 13: How many OLLI at UNLV classes are you currently taking?
Average 2.92
Min. 0
Max. 15
n = 422
*Respondents were recruited via the “OLLI News You Can Use e-Newsletter’.
*Virtually all respondents were enrolled in classes at the time of the survey,
although a small percentage was not enrolled in classes at the time of the survey.
Main finding (Table 13): On average OLLI participants are enrolled in about 3
classes per semester. Some take as many as 15 classes per semester.
18
Table 14: Where do you attend OLLI at UNLV classes? (Check all that apply)
UNLV Paradise Campus 378
Las Ventanas Retirement Community 56
Sun City Anthem Community Center 37
Sun City Aliante 26
Sun City Summerlin - Sun Shadows Community Center 26
Sun City MacDonald Ranch Recreation Center 22
Merrill Gardens Retirement Community 18
Humana Henderson Guidance Center - Henderson 12
Total 575
n = 418
*Data presented in raw numbers, not percentage.
*Respondents could select multiple locations where they attend OLLI classes.
Main finding (Table 14): The majority of OLLI participants attend classes at the
Paradise campus (378 out of 575). The next most commonly attended locations
include the Las Ventanas Retirement Center (56 out of 575) and the Sun City
Anthem Community Center (37out of 575).
19
Table 15: What is your main means of transportation to OLLI classes?
Car (You drive) 89.57%
Car (Someone else drives you) 6.40%
Walk or bike 2.61%
Public Transportation (e.g., bus) 1.42%
Total 100.00%
n = 422
Main finding (Table 15): About 90% percent of OLLI participants drive a car to
the OLLI site where they take classes and about 6% are driven to the OLLI site
where they take classes.
20
Table 16: How long do you travel to the OLLI class-site where you go most often?
Less than 15 minutes 21.90%
More than 15 minutes and less than 30 minutes 55.95%
More than 30 minutes 22.14%
Total 100.00%
n = 420
Main finding (Table 16): More than half (55.95%) of respondents travel 15 to 30
minutes to the OLLI site where they take classes. Close to one quarter (22.14%) of
respondents travel more than 30 minutes to the OLLI site where they take classes.
21
Table 14: If you travel longer than 30 minutes, how long do you travel to the OLLI
class-site where you go most often?
Average 40.67
Min. 31
Max. 65
n =420
Main finding (Table 17): Among respondents who travel over 30 minutes to the
OLLI site where they take classes, the average travel time is 40 minutes. The
longest travel time to an OLLI site is 65 minutes.
Table 15: Do you participate in OLLI with your friends?
Yes 58.95%
No 41.05%
Total 100.00%
n = 419
Main finding (Table 18): More than half (58.95%) of respondents attend OLLI
with a friend.
22
Table 19: Have you participated in any organized educational programs,
workshops or symposiums besides OLLI programs this semester?
Yes 25.71%
No 74.29%
Total 100.00%
n = 420
Main finding (Table 19): One quarter (25.71%) of respondents have participated
in an organized educational program, workshop or symposium beside OLLI during
the semester.
Table 16: Have you regularly engaged in any self-learning activities such as
reading books, news articles and journals this semester?
Yes 93.81%
No 6.19%
Total 100.00%
n = 420
Main finding (Table 20): More than 90% of respondents have engaged in self-
learning activities such as reading books, news articles and journals.
23
Table 17: What motivates you to participate in the OLLI program?
Educational opportunity 81.13%
Social opportunity 9.20%
To fill up spare time 6.13%
Friends’ or family members’ request 0.24%
Other 3.30%
Total 100.00%
n = 424
Main Finding (Table 21): About 80% of respondents participate in OLLI for
educational purposes. About 9% participate on OLLI for the social opportunity and
about 3% participate in OLLI for other reasons.
Top Five ‘Other’ motivations for participating in OLLI
1) Fine Arts/Performing Arts
2) Interesting and fun subject matter
3) Health reasons
4) The joy of learning and intellectual stimulation
5) Leadership Opportunities
24
Figure 2: Overall, how would you rate OLLI at UNLV?
25
Figure 3: How would you rate your learning outcomes this semester?
26
Figure 4: Overall, how would you rate the OLLI instructors' effectiveness in
your class(es)?
27
Figure 5: In the past month, would you that in general your health is...
28
Figure 6: What about your emotional health—how good do you feel or how
stressed, anxious or depressed you feel?
29
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OLLI PARTICIPANTS
Theme 1: Instructor development
Summary: Respondents made recommendations to improve the quality of
teaching. Although several participants liked the instructors, some asked for a
better selection of instructors and for more interactive classes.
Quotes:
More participation by instructors... don't just put a video in and then
sit/stand there. Speak...teach...
More interactive discussions.
Have experienced a variety of teaching levels, from informative to
disorganized. That is the chance one takes when signing up for courses.
Theme 2: Schedule concerns
Summary: Respondents complained about classes that start at 9:00 AM, stating
that they would like the classes to start later. Some respondents would like to bring
back the former schedule of 2 classes a day and asked to reschedule some classes
to prevent having two classes of the same subject at the same time.
Quotes:
I liked the two, two hour sessions per day better than the new 3 sessions.
9am classes are too early...too much traffic.
Carefully schedule the music classes so that they do NOT occur @ the
same time as other music classes. I can't get enough music!!!
30
Theme 3: Improve facilities
Summary: Respondents made recommendations to improve the facility/campus.
One of the most salient recommendations was to fix the women's restroom.
Quotes:
Keep the women's bathrooms in working order.
The physical plant is in terrible condition. Some of the chairs are not
meant for humans, no less seniors. The parking lot and walking areas
are so worn and uneven that it is dangerous to walk no less with a cane
or walker.
Work on A/C & Heat inadequacies in classrooms.
Theme 4: Audio-Visual equipment
Summary: Respondents made recommendations to improve the audio-visual
equipment. They also suggest using more user friendly equipment.
Quotes:
We had to change rooms, and the new room didn’t have a
computer/DVD player we needed. Wasted class time for 3weeks, finally
got fixed.
The electronics, like videos etc. are sometime difficult to manage for the
very intelligent instructors. The systems should be more user friendly.
Upgrade classroom facilities to state-of-the-art and train instructors to
use the equipment.
31
Theme 5: Curriculum suggestions
Summary: Respondents described which kind of additional classes they would
like to be included in the program.
Quotes:
More advanced computer classes.
I always enjoy new classes that haven't been offered before. I'd like a
class on current movies.
Suggest adding a Latin class. Need more activities for those unable to
dance. Walking groups or longer chair exercise.
Theme 6: Social interaction
Summary: Respondents gave suggestions to improve the quality and quantity of
social interactions, such as off-campus activities and involvement of new
members.
Quotes:
Personally liked OLLI when it was smaller and we had actual social
functions not just snacks outside room 511. No real socialization.
Miss not taking classes at UNLV campus. Interaction with the younger
students plus the learning.
More off campus social activities.
32
Theme 7: Satisfied with OLLI
Summary: Respondents were very satisfied with OLLI, and provided positive
feedback about social interaction through OLLI and the classes offered.
Quotes:
I LOVE everything about OLLI. Kudos to all those, including
facilitators, who make it all possible!
I am a recent widow. OLLI has really helped me during this difficult
time. I really enjoy OLLI.
I am very happy going to OLLI just the way it is. I have met many
people who are just as happy with OLLI as I am.
Theme 8: More classes at satellite campuses
Summary: Respondents expressed the need of more classes in Henderson, Las
Ventanas and Summerlin.
Quotes:
Would like to see more courses offered at satellite (Las Ventanas or Sun
City Summerlin - art too).
Add new classes. Try something new at SunCity Summerlin.
Continue to offer more classes in the Henderson area.
33
Theme 9: Registration and class listing concerns
Summary: Respondents expressed the need of an easier registration procedure and
to have more accurate and timely information about classes.
Quotes:
Organize registration better. Info as to available seats in a class was not
timely nor accurate this fall.
Get a better handle on editing and providing correct info in the course
descriptions in the catalogue. One class, which I take, was NOT at all
correctly defined. I DO plan my time and budget my money, and the
class (Great Music) was not organized. I continued, although clearly
many OLLI members just use a scattershot approach to finding and
staying with classes..
Class programs at the start of the term are so disorganized as to be
almost unmanageable.
Theme 10: Off-campus activities
Summary: Respondents stated that they enjoy off-campus activities and gave
suggestions to improve them.
Quotes:
More educational field trips.
Offer more non-class activities like trips, tours, and the upcoming film
festival.
I really enjoy OLLI and especially enjoy hiking with the group and
going to off campus activities.
34
Theme 11: Office Staff
Quotes:
Right now I feel there is a small struggle to fill the gap left by Rich
Easter's leaving. I am hoping that there will be more information and
interaction with the Olli members and staff.
More courtesy of members going in and out of classes.
Theme 12: Instructor communication
Quotes:
Since I live about 20 minutes away it would be helpful if there was a
way I could be notified if a class was cancelled so I wouldn't make the
trip.
Theme 13: Advertising strategies
Quotes:
Maybe have sweatshirts, T-shirts, baseball caps to sell that advertise
OLLI.
35
APPENDIX
Research Methods:
This survey (fall 2014) was conducted in collaboration with OLLI at UNLV
between November 3rd
and December 15, 2014. The survey was first developed by
the UNLV researchers and revised after the pilot test with 5 volunteers in 2013
summer. The UNLV researchers and OLLI staff members recruited participants
through an email newsletter, poster presentation, on-site presentation and a project
website.
At the time of this survey, OLLI had approximately 1,150 active members. Of
those, 456 members completed the online survey via Qualtrics online survey
software. Consent was obtained in the online survey. All descriptive summary
statistics were computed only with valid responses. Also, qualitative data (e.g.,
comments and recommendations from OLLI respondents) were organized and
summarized by theme using a content analysis approach. Quotes that best
summarized each theme were selected and bolded from the various statements
made by respondents. This project was approved by the UNLV Institutional
Review Board (Protocol #1210-4279M).
36
For questions, please visit our website at https://unlvolli.wordpress.com/home/
Contact Information
Takashi Yamashita, Ph.D.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 702-895-0260
Department of Sociology
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
