title: "I learned that the aging population isn't that much different from me": the final outcomes of a Gero-Ed BEL Project.
abstract: This article describes a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Gero-Ed Center BEL Project's activities and reports its final outcomes. An oral history interview in paired human behavior and practice skills courses addressed gerontological social work competencies focused on assessing and addressing values and biases regarding aging, and the ability to relate concepts and theories of aging to practice. Significant increases in perceived proficiency in these competencies occurred, as did significant decreases in negative attitudes toward older people and working with older adults. Qualitative data supported these results. Findings suggest social work educators utilize a combination of classroom-based and experiential learning to maximize student development.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice , State University of New York at Fredonia , Fredonia , New York , USA.
authors.forename: Brian Paul
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Masciadrelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D063506:Ageism / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D000375:Aging; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011157:Population Dynamics / Q000639:trends*; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012947:Social Work / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult