A Study on the Learning-Based Practice Activity of Retired Baby Boomers: Focusing on ‘Wirye Life School'

This research aims to explore the learning-based practice activity of retired baby boomers during their extended senior years, which seem to be longer due to increased life expectancy. This activity offers diverse and personalized options for engagement in later life. Based on the theory of communities of practice(CoP) as an analytical tool, the research investigates the characteristics of the learning community of the Wirye Life School, which embodies the self-help philosophy of the UK's U3A, as well as the characteristics of the research participants and the process of learning formation. The research explores how the Life School is operated and how the active participation of participants leads to learning at the individual, organizational, and community levels. The study found that the learning experiences of the participants in the Life School help shape and maintain their relationships, while also forming both individual and organizational identities. This case suggests that Baby Boomers' learning community activities can serve as a viable model for lifelong education in their senior years. The significance of this study lies in its demonstration of the potential to transform extended later life into a valuable and meaningful period, while also offering insights into practical challenges and suggestions for improvement.