Results of the evaluation of students in a University Programme for Seniors: the Open University for Seniors (OUS) of the UIB

We present the results of a study conducted with a sample of 333 students of the Open University for Seniors programmes offered by the University of the Balearic Islands. This study is part of a larger study conducted with 7 more Spanish universities, which is coordinated by the University of la Laguna. The different aspects evaluated, organised into different factors, are related to the evaluation of the university programme for seniors, specifically: the evaluation of the teaching and learning processes, of the organisation that conducts the programme and of relationships. Furthermore, the evaluations also examine the students' self-efficacy, in particular, understanding, learning, organising and searching for information. In addition, the students' personal profiles were evaluated: socially constructive, focused and effective personality, positive perception of relationships and self-esteem, relationship difficulties and warm and welcoming personality. According to the results, these students feel comfortable and enjoy their activities. They have a very positive perception of the contributions of the educational programme in which they are enrolled. They also have this same positive perception of their characteristics and relational, personal, autonomy and learning skills. Their views differ somewhat by gender, age, educational level and number of years they have been in the courses in which the evaluation of both the programme and themselves take place, which should be taken into account in the nature of educational offerings for these populations. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer review under responsibility of Prof. Dr. Huseyin Uzunboylu