At the AGHE conference, there were hundreds of academics and students in attendance representing colleges and universities from around the country. I made it a point to attend a variety of meetings, presentations and discussions on different topics related to aging issues. Almost every session that I attended included questions and concerns from participants about the effects of the economic downturn on our academic programs and also how the demand for online learning options is forcing changes in the way we plan and conduct our courses.
These are difficult times we are facing and there is great uncertainty about what the future holds. When we dwell on the uncertainties we may feel powerless. However, there are always opportunities that manifest in the midst of hardship. Lessons from history have taught us that to effectively address the issues and move forward beyond the difficulties requires creative thinking and innovation.
In the Aging Studies program at the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community (CAC), we’re working to incorporate technologies such as Skype, SnapKast and various other Web 2.0 technologies into our undergraduate and graduate certificate programs and our graduate degree programs, all of which have always been delivered in an online format via Blackboard.
By facing the challenges before us and working together to make improvements, we can become empowered and create positive changes that make a difference. Change happens whether we want it to or not and every day we grow older – it just happens naturally, but getting better with age happens on purpose.
Tamara Wolske, MS
Academic Program Director
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