Teachers love lively participation in ELLA classes: Starts January 12

by Kathy Kerr

(Edmonton) – Learners on both ends of the age spectrum have a lot in common, including enthusiastic  curiosity, says writer and instructor Marty Chan.

The award-winning children’s book author will repeat his course on writing for children for Edmonton Lifelong Learners Association’s online winter session starting in January. He says students at ELLA, which offers classes for those over 50, are ready with as many questions as the elementary school kids he usually teaches.

Seniors are as engaged as the kids, “but with more self-control,” Chan says. “They’re more willing to participate. …It gives me a chance to interact with the audience as opposed to just being a one-way broadcast.”

ELLA is offering 17 thought-provoking online courses this winter. In spring, the organization conducts in person classes on the University of Alberta campus.

Chan’s class for this session will cover basics, such as character and plot development, and topics such as crafting a voice which will grab the younger reader. “You have to sort of blow up your expectations of how somebody takes in the story and figure out exactly how to appeal to that younger audience.”

Chan says the motivation to take the course varies from wanting to tell stories to grandkids to wanting to publish a book.

Edmonton Journal municipal affairs columnist Keith Gerein is returning to teach his Civic Politics in the Age of Incoherence course. Coming off the recent elections, the course will have plenty of relevance even for students who have taken it before, says Gerein.

Last year the class raised questions about where the city was heading, with factors such as party politics and whether change was in the air, he says. “We’ll delve into that, and we’ll try to look at what happened and why.”

Gerein says it’s great to get the feedback ELLA students provide. “They probably have a little more time to think about these issues. They’ve seen the city go through its ups and downs.”

Veteran technology instructor Shawn Gramiak is teaching two ELLA classes – Getting More out of Google and AI for Everyone.

Gramiak says he wants students to come away with something that will make their lives simpler. But there will be fun and challenges along the way. The Google course will cover Google mail, docs, sheets, maps and YouTube. “I show people how to use the tools and I leave it up to them to figure out where they want to go with it,” says Gramiak, a longtime instructor at MacEwan University.

The AI course will focus on practical uses of AI, but Gramiak adds that he appreciates senior audiences dive a bit deeper into subject matter. “In a class of seniors, you’ll have very frank discussions about the ethics and morality of it all. And sometimes I don’t think that necessarily takes place, especially with the people who are big fans of artificial intelligence.”

Registration for ELLA’s Online Winter Session begins Dec. 2, with classes starting Jan. 12. For course information and more details, visit my-ella.com.