Lifelong learning as a field has leapt forward, but work remains to inform the structuring and practice of lifelong learning institutes. This study furthers the field of institution-based lifelong learning by utilizing cross-institutional research regarding the value of lifelong learning to older adults. A content analysis coding approach is undertaken to categorize and organize 4,400 lifelong learners’ responses to the question: “What about your Osher Institute has been valuable/important to you?” Responses came from 12 institutes across the United States. The organization and interpretation of the themes fell along four dimensions: (a) learning experience, (b) community environment, (c) learning quality, and (d) learning access. Subthemes within each of the four broad themes are identified and discussed. Slight demographic differences regarding codes assigned are highlighted. Institutional differences were more notable demonstrating that the structures and practices of institutes warrant more research.

中文翻译：

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释放终身学习机构的价值：来自对Osher终身学习机构的全国调查的研究和实践见解

终身学习作为一个领域已经取得了飞跃，但是仍然需要为终身学习机构的结构和实践提供信息。这项研究利用跨机构研究关于老年人终身学习的价值，进一步推动了基于机构的终身学习领域。采取了内容分析编码方法，以归类和组织4400名终身学习者对以下问题的回答：“您的Osher学院对您来说有价值/重要吗？” 来自美国12个研究所的回应。主题的组织和解释涉及四个方面：（a）学习经历，（b）社区环境，（c）学习质量和（d）学习机会。确定并讨论了四个广泛主题中的每个子主题。与分配的代码有关的人口统计差异会突出显示。制度上的差异更为明显，这表明机构的结构和实践需要更多的研究。