Clemson’s undergraduate and graduate students aren’t the only group shifting their learning online this spring. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Clemson University is also moving their classes to a virtual format in response to COVID-19.
OLLI at Clemson is a community of more than 1,400 people that provides member-driven, volunteer-led learning opportunities to its members, which come from a variety of backgrounds and education levels. Although its classes are open to everyone, its members are generally older adults.
Many of the institute’s program options were originally focused on in-person experiences that are difficult to replicate online, such as day-long hiking excursions and craft-making classes. Julie Vidotto, director of the institute, said that emphasis on outdoor experiences posed a challenge when planning virtual programming.
“There were a number of variables we needed to consider, such as which classes could most reasonably shift to an online delivery format and how our members could feel they were given an equal opportunity to participate in class discussions,” Vidotto said. “We started with training sessions and four test classes in early April to gauge how our members might adapt to interacting with us online, and we were blown away by the immediate, positive response.”
After the first classes, several members contacted OLLI staff to thank them for their efforts; one member even called the institute a “vital lifeline” that is keeping them occupied during the pandemic. Members also said they enjoyed seeing other people and that some would be open to other online learning opportunities when social distancing is no longer encouraged.
The test classes provided valuable insight into what resources are needed for OLLI to scale up their online learning, Vidotto said. OLLI is now offering a short, three-week spring mini-term of classes, which they plan to expand over the summer.
OLLI’s pivot to online learning is in line with many of the other OLLIs around the country. The move to online delivery keeps older adults engaged during self-quarantine while offsetting the revenue loss associated with isolation measures brought on by COVID-19.
Chip Stapleton, who serves as the Clemson institute’s board chairman, said the decision to pivot to online learning was an easy one to make.
“We had always considered our face-to-face learning community as part of the appeal to our members, however, we know we can create similar opportunities to connect online,” Stapleton said. “Our members need this programming now more than ever in a time of social distancing, so we’ll do whatever it takes to make sure they’re supported.”
Shortly after the board advised OLLI staff to consider online instruction, they found themselves facing a steep learning curve, but they’re proud of how the OLLI community has risen to the challenge.
“Our challenge, like the university’s, has been to bring both OLLI members and volunteer instructors up to some level of comfort with Zoom technology as soon as possible, while still learning how to use it ourselves,” Vidotto said. “The Osher National Resource Center has been hosting continuous Zoom training, and really creating and modeling best practices, which has been a terrific help.”
Vidotto added that the OLLI board has also helped them to more quickly adopt online delivery than they would have otherwise.
“We always say that OLLI at Clemson is about community, and our board members have gone above and beyond in exemplifying that,” Vidotto said. “We’re so grateful for their – and our members’ – continued support.”
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To learn more about OLLI at Clemson, including class schedules and how to become a member, visit OLLIatClemson.org.
Hannah Snider is a senior at Clemson University, getting a Bachelor’s Degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management with a concentration in Community Recreation, Sport and Camp Management. She is the daughter of Brian and Rebecca Snider and the sister of Rachel Snider. She is also the fiancé of Dillon Gums.
Ellerslie McCue is a senior majoring in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management with a concentration in Travel and Tourism and an interest in Agriculture. She is very grateful to all of the professors and administrators in both PRTM and CAFLS for four amazing years and for encouraging her to be the best that she can be. She wishes to thank them (virtually) for going above and beyond for their students and making a huge impact in their lives that continues after they leave Clemson University.
Cait Henry is a master’s student in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and originates from Saint Louis, Missouri. She works as a Project Coordinator and Master’s Research Assistant in the Parks Solutions Lab, where she has had the opportunity to network with other highly motivated and passionate social scientists. She was accepted into the Ph.D. program at Kansas State University under Dr. Jessica Fefer in the department of Horticulture and Natural Resources, and will move back to the Midwest after graduating this May. Her hobbies include: hiking and backpacking along the Blue Ridge Parkway, reading at coffee shops, discovering new craft breweries and slowly turning her cats into Adventure Cats.
Kaitlin Mueller is a proud Clevelander with a passion to live in a world where one day all people have access to recreation therapy services. She completed her undergrad in RT at Slippery Rock University and finished her master’s studies at Indiana University in RT. After graduating from Slippery Rock University, Kaitlin worked as a recreational therapist in geriatric, sub-acute rehabilitation in Cleveland for five years. Kaitlin is now a 2nd year Ph.D. student in RT with hopes of becoming a future academic. Kaitlin’s research interest is currently transitional care for older adults when moving into a new senior facility. Kaitlin enjoys all the quality time she can get with her husband and almost one-year-old son, preferably at Clemson baseball or softball games. Go Tigers!
John is currently in the final semester of his master’s degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management at Clemson University where he works as a research assistant for Dr. Matt Brownlee in the Park Solutions Lab. Through his assistantship, he has helped to write four extensive visitor management reports for national parks across the country, conducted visitor surveys in three additional parks, and drafted five research articles for submission to peer reviewed journals this spring. His thesis focuses on integrating emotional affect into bear management and bear safety education. Prior to coming to Clemson, John received his bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology and Statistics from the University of Montana. Between programs, John worked as a veterinary technician in Texas, interpreter at a grizzly bear sanctuary in Montana, and a panda behavior intern in China. John and his fiancée, Emma, will get married in May and he hopes to continue on towards a doctoral degree in wildlife biology and work in grizzly bear research and management.
Suk is a fourth-year graduate (Ph.D.) student in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management with a research focus on the development of disability sport through corporate social responsibility. He has put forth significant effort to find ways for firms, as well as sport organizations, to make a social impact and address community priorities, especially for the communities of persons with a disability.
Brian completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of San Diego, and he completed his master’s degree at the University of Utah. His doctoral research focuses on advancing spatiotemporal research of visitor travel patterns within parks and protected areas. His dissertation is comprised of research conducted at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.
Ali Dubin is a graduate student from East Greenbush, New York. She is working towards her Ph.D. in Community Recreation, Sport and Camp Management. After high school, Ali spent eight summers working at Girl Scout Camps in NY and VA, sparking her interest in camp and camp administration. Her research focuses on issues in camp administration, with a specific focus on children with severe food allergy and the constraints to participation that they face. She has had the opportunity to use her formal education and camp skills to teach many classes at Clemson University including Finding Your Voice, Camp Administration and the Writing Mentor Program. When Ali is not talking or thinking about camp, which is rare, she likes hiking with her dog Ari and spending time by the lake. Her other hobbies include wine tasting, reading cheesy romance novels and crafting: she hopes to have more time to do these things after finishing her dissertation.
Donna earned her Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy at the University of Maryland. She earned an MBA from the Pennsylvania State University and is currently working toward her Ph.D. at Clemson University. She is the Chief of Recreational Therapy at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. She has managed interdisciplinary treatment teams and has clinical experience working with a variety of patient populations including individuals who have sustained traumatic brain injuries. Her interests include program development, process improvement, and research related to the health and well-being of at-risk populations.
Jennifer Kinch Garcia is finalizing her 2nd year as a doctoral student with the Clemson University Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management program. Her focus lies mostly within Community Recreation, Sport and Camp Management with an emphasis in youth development. Jennifer is working towards the evaluation of nature based free play, and how communities can support the spaces and policies that surround the concept of free play. After graduating with a B.S. in Biology from West Texas A&M University, she began her career within the world of zoos and aquariums at the Amarillo Zoo in Amarillo, Texas. She started her role at the Greenville Zoo as the Education Coordinator in 2012. Since moving to Greenville, South Carolina she has earned her M.Ed. for Curriculum Development and through her work, has been fortunate to be a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Nature Play initiatives along with the Children and Nature Network’s family nature clubs, to encourage communities to get outdoors. Jennifer looks forward to promoting play through more equitable access to parks and community engagement.