Universal Class program offers personal development opportunities
Posted 11/10/2011 Updated 11/9/2011
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by Erin Tindell
Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs
11/10/2011 - SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) -- You're never too old to stop learning, and Air Force libraries offer opportunities for self-improvement and personal development through the Universal Class program.
Total force Airmen, families, civilians, retirees and other eligible library users may register for more than 500 online personal education courses on a wide range of subjects and course levels at www.universalclass.com. More than 1,000 users have registered since the program's launch in September.
The self-paced courses, led by instructors who are available to answer questions, are available 24/7. Some of the course subject areas include: basic computer skills, personal finance, gardening, cooking, homeschooling, creative writing, dog training and professional development.
"Universal Class courses are informational and designed to enhance student knowledge, increase skills and stimulate interest in a subject," said Melinda Mosley, the Air Force Services Agency administrative librarian. "Any authorized Air Force library customer, regardless of military service, may contact their library to receive an access code to register for the online courses."
Jennifer Swee, an Army civil service employee at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, said she loves the diverse fun and recreational courses Universal Class offers and is currently enrolled in an "Italian Cooking 101" course.
"It's really interesting to take a cooking class online," she said. "They provide a great history of the region and then explain how to stock your pantry. Each chapter pertains to a course of food we will learn to master. I think this would be a fun class to take with other military spouses and then to get together to prepare a large Italian feast at the end of our studies!"
Swee also said she loves the convenience of the self-paced, free online course.
"Knowing I have six months to complete the course is a real sigh of relief," she said. "If I were to pay to take a course (in a classroom), I would have to arrive in person each week and commit that block of time. (By taking the online course), I can work on it anytime I have a free moment, even in my pajamas."
For Richard Cain, the Human Resource Management class he registered for is valuable and the lesson format is easy to read and understand.
"I like the idea of writing a short answer to the particular question in each lesson," said Cain, a force development specialist at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. "The exam is also helpful in making sure you captured the instruction content. I still have a couple more lessons to go, but feel the refresher information has been worthwhile concerning my degree."
According to the Universal Class website, most courses can be completed within a month. Once a member registers for a course, they have six months to finish, but they may re-enroll and pick up where they left off if they need more time. Advanced courses may also offer continuing education units, which are industry measurements of non-credit education, Mosley said.
For more information, or to register, visit www.universalclass.com or contact a local Air Force installation library.
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