Betty Robinson has always enjoyed writing and wanted to take a course where she could receive feedback on her work. She discovered the Adult Learning Center, signed up for “Writing: Putting Pen to Paper,” a free course at IPS #56 and has enhanced her skills.
“It has turned out to be extremely interesting and I loved it,” exclaimed Robinson. “I am looking into taking an online writing class after this.”
Robinson is one of many students who are taking classes at Adult Learning Centers, which is part of the Center for Adult and Lifelong Learning (CALL) at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).
The learning centers are community-based extensions of CALL that provide post-secondary learning, including workshops, career skill development and certificate training and life skills. Courses offered include continuing education, noncredit courses in study skills, reading and writing, computation, and computer literacies as well as developmental, credit-bearing and first-year college courses.
Some examples of classes are “Discovering the Genius in Your Child/Grandchild,” “Building Your Financial Foundation: Avoiding the Holiday Hustle” and “Personal Computer Fundamentals.”
Furthermore, CALL has partnered with Indianapolis Public Schools which is allowing Adult Learning Centers to house classes in three schools: IPS #69, IPS #56 and Arlington Community High School.
The purpose of adult learning centers is to increase accessibility to post secondary learning opportunities in underserved areas and support adults as they consider starting or returning to college.
“A lot of times, people have been out of school for a while, they don’t know where to start sometimes. We try to make it comfortable for people to come back and if they want to get a degree, they’ve gotten a little bit of experience,” said Sylvia Cunningham, coordinator for the IUPUI Adult Learning Centers.
Robinson said that although she has a college degree, returning to the classroom was intimidating. Taking the free writing course gave her the confidence needed to further pursue her passion for writing. She also said that her newfound fortitude has inspired her daughter to pursue writing.
Adult students are offered a healthy mix of free and paid classes, which range from one-day workshops to four-week classes.
Adult Learning Centers is a new program and are looking to increase enrollment for next semester. Robinson was relieved that she was able to get one-on-one attention in her writing class and that faculty didn’t cancel the class because she was the only student, however, IUPUI staff want the community to participate in what they have to offer.
They also want to increase and diversify courses. Cunningham recently hosted a focus group to find out what members of the community want and need so they can be accommodated.
“You bring me 10 people who want to take a sewing class, we’ll offer it,” said Cunningham.
Those interested in the Adult Learning Centers program can do so by mailing in their application, which can be found at local libraries and in various neighborhoods, or by visiting http://adult.iupui.edu/alc.html.
“We’re in a hard economy and that’s usually the time people go back to school. But it’s also about the neighborhoods and the community. People can drop their child off and take a class to help them get a degree later on. We are here to serve you and space is available,” said Cunningham.
For more information, call (317) 278-7323 or email iupuialc@iupui.edu.
