Brains Don't Retire: Lifelong Learning with peers
Peer learning—where individuals of similar age or experience learn from and with each other—is an effective model for lifelong learning, especially for older adults. As people age, maintaining cognitive vitality, social connections, and a sense of purpose becomes increasingly important. Peer learning reminds us that everyone has something to teach -- and something to learn.
Value of Peer Learning for Seniors
One of the greatest strengths of peer learning for older adults is that it values lived experience. Seniors have decades of personal and professional knowledge. Whether it's a retired teacher leading a book club discussion or a former lawyer discussing historical and social background of some of the intriguing, interesting and important Canadian legal cases: peer-led sessions allow individuals to contribute meaningfully and continue feeling valued. This can help combat feelings of irrelevance that sometimes accompany retirement or aging.
Other advantages of peer learning:
- Relatable Teaching Styles: Older adults often feel more at ease learning from peers who share similar communication styles and life experiences.
- Accessible Pace: Peer-led groups may move at a more comfortable, self-directed pace compared to formal classes.
- Reciprocal Learning: Everyone gets the chance to be both learner and teacher, tapping into diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Personal Benefits of Peer Learning
Peer learning supports cognitive health. Engaging in group discussions, problem-solving activities, or creative projects provides mental stimulation to keep the brain active and sharp. Explaining concepts to others helps to reinforce one's own understanding and can help to clarify some complex issues. Stepping up and accepting new challenges builds new skills.
Engaging in peer learning also supports personal growth. Participating doesn't require perfection or expertise. It all starts with a willingness to share wisdom but also to learn from others. Brains don't retire. Staying intellectually engaged and contributing to a learning community can bring renewed energy and direction in one's retirement years. Peer learning encourages curiosity, flexibility, and openness to new ideas—qualities that enrich everyday life. Finally, sharing knowledge with others builds a sense of purpose and self-worth.
Peer Learning -- the CALL Model
Linda Flanagan, Past President of CALL, described how CALL uses peer learning in our January 2024 Blog Post: Why Call is Unique
"Calgary Association of Lifelong Learners (CALL) members believe that continuing to learn in retirement is essential and inherently rewarding. We understand the benefits of learning for brain health and social connection. Our members want to keep current with our changing world and want to be active participants in creating knowledge, learning new skills and sharing their own wisdom with others."
The Calgary Association of Lifelong Learning (CALL) uses peer learning as a central part of its educational approach. Peer learning at CALL involves members learning with and from each other rather than relying solely on traditional top-down instruction.
1. Member-led Programs
CALL’s Interest Groups are facilitated by members, not professional instructors. These facilitators are typically people with expertise, experience, or a deep interest in a particular topic, who volunteer to guide others in a collaborative learning environment.
For example: Jim Conway, retired lawyer, offers a monthly presentation called Not So Common Law.
In these monthly presentations Jim explores "the historical and social background of some of the intriguing, interesting and important Canadian legal cases which have had a lasting impact on our society and affect our lives today. Each month he focuses on some famous and fascinating cases, plus the opportunity to discuss legal current affairs."
In an interview for a CALL newsletter, Jim said:
"I enjoy the research and creative aspects of putting together a monthly presentation for our interest group. From a retirement point of view, it is an opportunity to participate in an engaging activity and keep up my interest in law."
"I enjoyed presenting Not So Common Law so much that it was easy to persuade me to facilitate a second interest group. This time it is politics. So, the political book club How Can You Think That? was born. It is part of Current Issues section of the CALL Interest Groups."
2. Discussion-Based Learning
Many of CALL sessions are structured as interactive discussions - not lectures. This encourages everyone to contribute their perspectives and insights, enriching the group’s understanding and fostering a dynamic, inclusive learning environment.
Previously we have explored the reasons that members enjoy being part of a Book Club.
See Blot Post: Seven Reasons to Join a Book Club to learn more about how discussion-based learning fits in.
3. Mutual Support and Shared Knowledge
Peer learning at CALL values the diverse life experiences of its members. Everyone has something to offer—and everyone learns from each other.
Barry Ronellenfitch leads the program Finding Peace and Joy Within. In this eight-week session, Barry explores the ideas behind the practices of meditation and mindfulness, and the modern understandings about how and why they work on both your inner and outer world. Each session includes a period of meditation (sitting comfortably in chairs) to allow participants the opportunity to experience the benefits for themselves.
Barry told CALL:
"I’ve always enjoyed learning. Even the dullest job seemed interesting while I was learning how to do it. And I’ve always wanted to share anything that I found useful, whether it was a new hobby or sport, or an approach to solving a problem. I suspect most people feel the same. CALL allows me to both learn and share. By facilitating a CALL program, I can share what I’ve learned with other interested people. At the same time, their questions and insights help me learn more. CALL also provides the opportunity to attend other programs of interest. I get to meet wonderful people as well. For me, this is a win/win on every level!"
4. Flexible and Collaborative Environment
CALL supports a flexible approach to education where learning goals are shaped by the group. This means programs can evolve based on the interests and contributions of the participants.
When CALL was founded, Don Smith and Gordon Fairhead began an Interest Group with a history-based focus. In the first year, the group explored Canada and World War One. From its onset, the group demonstrated peer-learning with members sharing topics of their choice.
Over the years, the group interests evolved.
"In 2015 we decided to broaden it to Historical Events and Their Impact. This enables participants to explore various aspects of conflict from any time and at any location in the world; with the opportunity to compare facets across the ages and consider their impacts.
Over our ten years, participants have shared 300 topics – needless to say, we have not yet run out of ideas to research and discuss! Our thanks to the current and prior members whose contributions have made this such a wonderful interest group." Gordon Fairhead
In short, CALL’s use of peer learning makes education more accessible, collaborative, and community-focused, aligning perfectly with the spirit of lifelong learning.
It All Begins with an Idea
Here's how it works in practice
An excerpt adapted from an article by
Shauna Romanzin, IT Chair, in the April 2025 CALL Newsletter
The Role of CALL Members/Volunteers in Peer-Led Learning.
We all know CALL is a 100% volunteer run organization, but have you ever stopped to think about how many teams are involved in providing our programming to members?
A member has an idea for an Interest Group and is willing to lead it (Facilitator).
They work together with their Coordinator to bring it to life.
Behind the scenes support:
Operations finds an appropriate venue
Web team sets up registration webpages
Communications inform members of this new offering through the newsletter and email
Treasurer and Finance Committee ensures bills & taxes are paid and our accounts are in order
Records help the organization keep track of our past
Volunteer committee finds members to help fill these roles
CALL Board ensures all pieces are working together
Idea to Action
There are many examples of CALL members having an idea and bringing it to fruition. Here is one from Marlene Lenstra, who started the Interest Group, Guitar Jam. Marlene wrote:
"When I finished university, I bought myself a guitar, took some lessons and played for a few years. But when four children came along, the guitar went to the back of the closet to collect dust. Forward to quite a few years later when I dusted it off and started to play again.
But playing guitar by yourself is not a lot of fun, so I looked for someone to play with and somewhere to play. I knew that Calgary Association of Lifelong Learners (CALL) had a ukulele group. So, I checked it out. But why wasn’t there a guitar group? One reason only; there was no one to organize it. So, I took it upon myself to organize one.
I was fortunate that CALL had an available room at cSPACE Marda Loop and thus Guitar Jam began in 2019.
Since then we have grown considerably. We have a great group of people with a special camaraderie. We all love to play guitar, to enjoy a good time, to meet new friends, to learn new songs and to give our brain (and our fingers) a workout."
Summary
In essence, peer learning empowers older adults to stay curious, connected, and engaged. It builds community, promotes mental well-being, and affirms that growth doesn't stop with age. Whether through book clubs, learning to play bridge sessions, art or writing workshops, or various discussion groups, peer learning reminds us all that everyone has something to teach—and something to learn.
Author
Maureen Osis
Maureen retired from her career -- first as a Gerontological Nurse and then a Marriage/Family Therapist in private practice working with mid-life and older adults. Maureen has published numerous articles and books, related to her professions. She is a member of CALL because she is passionate about learning. She is a volunteer with CALL, doing social media and the primary author of the blog, because she likes to face new challenges.
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