Semilongitudinal Research on Changes in Seniors’ Motivation for Education in the Context of Third Age Universities

Abstract

The article focuses on the comparison of differences in the results of research surveys conducted in 2011 and 2021, which were aimed at the analysis of various aspects related to the interest-related education of seniors at universities of the third age (U3A). Both studies focused on motivation to study, preferred forms and methods of education and the content of individual courses implemented within the U3A at the J. E. Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem. In 2011 N = 154 respondents took part in the survey, in 2021 N = 70 respondents (this lower number was due to restrictions and limitations of U3A education related to the covid-19 pandemic ). The results show quite significant differences, particularly in the preference for teaching methods (e.g. a significant increase in preference for e-learning) and differences in the content of courses (e.g. an increase in preference for courses focusing on foreign languages). There has also been a change in the motivation of U3A learners, which has been particularly evident in the strengthening of the social aspects of learning.