STUDYING AT THE VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY OF THIRD AGE

The article deals with aging and quality of life mainly within the context of lifelong education. It points to the growing need to deal with issues related to educating seniors not only with respect to the specific needs that higher age poses on the learning process, but also with respect to social exclusion or spatial seclusion. It is focused on making use of e-learning within courses that form a part of the University of Third Age (U3A) programmes. Part of the article is further formed by a brief description of the main characteristic features of a virtual form of education as it is conducted by the FEM CULS Prague in regions that are further away from university campuses. It also provides information on the characteristics of Virtual University of Third Age (VU3A) students, it maps their demographic characteristics, social background, their ICT experience, and also their perspective on virtual education and their experience with it.