College seniors to senior citizens: harnessing the e-connection.
This article is a report of the impact of an innovative assignment within an upper-division gerontology course in a public university. Although designed to enhance the understanding of important aging concepts for students in a Family Studies program, analysis of student writings revealed an increased understanding of the actual subject matter-older adults. As an addition to typical classroom instruction methods, students were paired with senior citizens from an adult education computer course to exchange a series of e-mail communications over the duration of the gerontology course. The e-mail discussion prompts stemmed from important concepts explored in class units. To determine the impact of this assignment, students were asked to submit a reflection paper on their experience. Student participants indicated that the experience enhanced their understanding of the course concepts and provided a positive interaction opportunity with older partners.
Moore
Tami J
TJ
Department of Family Studies, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Kearney, Nebraska 68849, USA. mooretj@unk.edu
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D003142:Communication; D003479:Curriculum; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D034742:Electronic Mail; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013334:Students; D013663:Teaching; D014495:Universities