OLLI instructors, volunteers and staff collaborate across Delaware for successful online program

OLLI instructors and volunteers lead the way We applaud the creativity and dedication of the many UD OLLI Online instructors and volunteers who adapted their classes as online offerings, including many activity-based classes. Pictured at right: Diana Beebe, OLLI Sussex instructor, teaches needlework and crafting classes, including Making Fabric Jewelry and OLLI Craft Circle, see pages 5 and 42. Pictured on the cover, clockwise from top left: Sima Sariaslani, OLLI Wilmington instructor and ikebana artist, teaches the Japanese art of flower arrangement, including two spring offerings, see page 14. Glenn Rill, musician and OLLI Wilmington instructor, teaches singalong and guitar classes, including the Guitar Music Jam extracurricular activity this spring, see page 41. Pete Feeney, artist and OLLI Sussex art department chair, helped to recruit and facilitate online art classes. Chris Dodd, artist and OLLI Sussex instructor, has taught many watercolor classes at OLLI, including Beginning Watercolor offered this spring, see page 6.

When the University of Delaware’s on-site OLLI programs were put on hold this spring due to the coronavirus pandemic, some classes were immediately able to continue their discussions virtually for the rest of the semester. Virtual social groups enabled OLLI interactions to continue, and OLLI’s extracurricular needlecraft groups sewed masks for donation. Staff and volunteers set their sights on developing and launching a fully-online OLLI program that enrolled more than 700 participants in over 40 courses and activities for a one-month summer offering in July. The model was carried over into the fall semester, which ultimately boasted over 1,900 enrollments and more than 200 course offerings. The online, videoconferencing-based format was new to some OLLI participants, but instructors and students adapted quickly, crediting OLLI staff and volunteers for providing the needed technical support and virtual handholding. OLLI staff and member-volunteers held Zoom training sessions customized for instructors and members, and persevered through many first-time challenges. “I am amazed at how much I'm enjoying the virtual interaction,” said OLLI KentSussex member Marge Felty. “We’re navigating new territory together and learning in the comfort of our own homes.” In addition to taking OLLI classes, Felty hosted a biweekly “Whatever Makes You Happy Hour” with fellow OLLI member Susan Watkins. The UD OLLI programs normally operate as largely independent locations in Wilmington, Bridgeville, Dover, Lewes and Ocean View, Delaware but have joined forces to share strengths among staff, volunteers, instructors, committees and members. Along with a wide variety of discussionor presentation-based classes covering topics like history, LGBT film, rock music, financial literacy, health and wellness, book clubs and more, there were also activity-based classes creatively adapted from a normal classroom format to work for the virtual classroom. OLLI staff were quick to credit the success of “virtual OLLI” to the dedication of OLLI’s instructors and volunteers as well as the adaptability and enthusiasm of OLLI members. They believe the passion and commitment of members remains at the core of OLLI’s continued success.