ALFA (Adult Learning in the Fitchburg Area) is a lifelong learning institute that serves adult learners in Fitchburg and the surrounding communities. ALFA is sponsored by the Center for Professional Studies at Fitchburg State University in collaboration with volunteer members of the community.
We offer non-credit daytime courses, free discussion groups, and intergenerational opportunities to participate across campus. ALFA students are encouraged to volunteer and participate in program leadership and development, as well as social and recreational activities.
The Adult Learning in the Fitchburg Area (ALFA) Office is available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact us by email at alfa@fitchburgstate.edu or call 978.665.3706.
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ALFA stands for Adult Learning in the Fitchburg Area. Originally begun as a program for local older adults, ALFA has since expanded to include participants from over twenty surrounding communities. Thanks to our new online programming, we now have participants from across the country!
ALFA is a Lifelong Learning Institute that offers non-credit daytime courses, free discussion groups, and intergenerational opportunities to participate across campus. ALFA students are encouraged to volunteer and participate in program leadership and development, as well as social and recreational activities. ALFA is sponsored by the Center for Professional Studies at Fitchburg State University in collaboration with volunteer members of the community.
Mission
ALFA provides an opportunity for lifelong learners with similar interests to meet in an informal setting and pursue learning for enrichment and personal growth.
ALFA is sponsored by the Center for Professional Studies at Fitchburg State University, in collaboration with volunteer representatives of the community.
- The History of ALFA (PDF)
Zoom Login Information
After you register, you will receive your confirmation by email. You will then receive your Zoom Class Invitation with all of the information you need to log into your Zoom class one week before the course starts.
Equipment and Tech Requirements
You will need some basic equipment to participate. To fully participate in the video based online classroom, you will need:
- Computer (Laptop or Desktop), Tablet, or Smartphone.
- Microphone, Speakers, and webcam. Most laptops, tablets and smartphones have these features already built in. If you are using a desktop computer, please make sure you have all of these elements.
- Internet/Wi-Fi access
Note: You may also participate with a landline phone but you will only be able to hear the audio and will not be able to gain the full benefits of the course.
Possible Issues
- Low bandwidth is detrimental. High speed internet service provides better results.
- Audio and Visual issues are mostly the result of using older or lower quality devices.
- Best results are achieved on newer laptops followed by tablets and then smartphones.
- Phone and video combinations can work but adds to the setup complexity.
- Regardless of the device, make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom program or app.
Zoom Etiquette and Online Learning Tips
Etiquette
- Dress as if you are in a real classroom.
- Be vigilant about your background making sure that it is not offensive.
- Be cognizant of family members or pets -surprise guest appearances are not permitted.
- Be on time for class:
- This assists the Technology Assistant to allow participants to enter the meeting in an orderly manner.
- The wait to enter the virtual classroom could be longer if you are late for class since class entry won’t be the main focus of the Technology Assistant once class has started.
- Use the same name that you used when you registered for class.
- This is to promote an ALFA community of learners
- To help the technology assistant identify you when you want to enter the virtual classroom.
- Provides an additional barrier for security; only those registered for the session may partake in the session.
Protocols:
- Only registered students will be admitted to classes. No guests at this time.
- Please do not take screenshots, videos, or post to social media (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.).
- Mute your microphone unless given permission to talk.
- Use the Hand icon to alert the instructor you wish to speak.
- Stay muted when someone else is verbally presenting or screen sharing.
- Use the chat feature to comment or ask questions. We discourage private chats.
- The instructor or tech assistant will give students permission to unmute themselves by mentioning it in conversation or chat.
Expert Suggestions:
- Position your light source directly in front of you, not behind, to avoid shadowing and contrast problems.
- Headsets with microphones can improve your ability to be heard.
- Headphones and earbuds can improve your ability to hear.
- Stands for iPads (tablets) and mobile phones provide stability.
- Upgrade systems especially if they are no longer supported by their manufacturers. New and higher quality devices generally work better.
Resources
- Zoom
- Fitchburg State University Zoom Instructions
- Avenidas: Reinventing Aging - How to Join a Zoom Meeting
ALFA Registration Instructions
Registration is open. Please register online at marketplace.fitchburgstate.edu/alfa.
All courses are $45 a course unless otherwise indicated. 10-Week courses are typically $90.
- ALFA INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY: Online courses will NOT be canceled due to inclement weather. In-person courses will be canceled if the University is closed or delayed due to inclement weather.
- PICTURE AND IMAGE USE: Please note that the University photographer and/or instructor may be taking photos for use for marketing purposes in newsletters, brochures, etc. If you do not want photos taken of you, please tell the photographer.
- REFUND POLICY: Courses, trips, and special events are NOT refundable or transferable (to another course OR another person) unless they are canceled.
About ALFA
Thank you for considering teaching for the Adult Learning in the Fitchburg Area (ALFA) program. Each non-credit course runs for 1.5 hours each week for five weeks and is a total of 7.5 hours long. Our instructors are current and retired Fitchburg State faculty members, local community experts in their fields.
- Session I: September - October
- Session II: November - December
- Session III: January - March
- Session IV: March - April
ALFA Weekly Course Schedule Example
Course Proposal Forms
If you would like to teach for ALFA in one of the upcoming sessions, please submit a course proposal by submitting the appropriate form.
Course Proposals are typically available to be filled out starting in mid to late January. When they are available, links will be provided below.
Proposal Submission Deadlines:
- Fall proposals are always due by April 15
- Spring Proposals are always due by September 1
Community Instructors Form: (if you are a full time Fitchburg State faculty member, see below):
- Fall 2025 (Sessions 1 and 2) Course Proposal Form (Coming in January 2025)
- Spring (Sessions 3 and 4) 2025 Course Proposal Form (Coming in January 2025)
Fitchburg State Faculty:
Please use the following Dynamic Form version. This version of the form will go immediately to your department chair, dean, and provost for approval before it is submitted to ALFA. *Please note that there is only one form for both spring and fall for Fitchburg State faculty.
*Please note that there is only one form for both spring and fall for Fitchburg State faculty.
ALFA Faculty Course Proposal Form - Deadline April 15 for fall and September 1 for spring.
Course proposals are received until the deadline. Once we have received all of the courses, we will send out course schedule confirmations within a few of weeks of the deadline.
New Instructors
We are always looking for local experts in their field to teach for ALFA! Please submit a course proposal above and then submit (ASAP) the following supplemental material to alfa@fitchburgstate.edu. If you do not submit the following information, we may not consider your course proposal.
- A biography (about a paragraph or so)
- A photo of yourself to accompany your bio in the brochure
- Resume (Fitchburg State Faculty do not need to complete this step)
- Three (3) letters of recommendation. The recommendations should be submitted electronically directly by the reference person to alfa@fitchburgstate.edu. (Fitchburg State Faculty do not need to complete this step)
When choosing new instructors or when deciding to run a new course with ALFA, we are looking for a combination of the following qualifications:
- Official credentials in the specific field or subject matter that you are looking to teach
- Extensive and specific experience in the topic
- Prior experience teaching this topic to others
- References that can speak specifically to your experience and expertise on a topic
ALFA often receives more course requests than there are slots of courses. Submitting a course proposal does not mean that the course will automatically run. There are many factors that are considered when deciding on which courses will run each semester. Thank you for understanding!
Instructor Compensation
- Community ALFA instructors receive a $250 stipend to teach. Full-time Fitchburg State faculty receive a 1 credit load reduction.
- Full-time Fitchburg State faculty receive a 1 credit load reduction.