About Us: Our Philosophy

The Tufts University Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is committed to the concepts of collaborative peer learning. In peer learning, members share their knowledge and experience with one another; they create, coordinate and participate in study groups. Study group leaders (SGLs) organize and lead the study groups. The result of a cooperative effort of members and SGLs is a rich and dynamic interactive learning environment to which all contribute and from which all gain a sense of accomplishment. The object is for the group to "create" and "share" knowledge within the group, rather than have knowledge transmitted from teacher to students.

The Program is:

• guided by university policies and procedures
• responsive to members' interests
• a reflection of an array of interests
• a reflective collaboration with appropriate University units
• learning-based on participatory models
• exemplified by proposals that fall within or combine any of the three domains -- mind, body or soul (spirit)
• accessible in a variety of venues -- on-site, off-site, classrooms, on-line etc.
• always encouraging innovation and experimentation to tap into nontraditional models
• a compendium of appropriate resources and support