This article discusses self-assessment of gerontology teaching practice. Through a process of self-reflection one may find insight into their teaching and, concomitantly, develop best-practices for enhancing student learning in gerontology. A self-assessment framework is presented, illuminating best-practices in the areas of the lecture-discussion…

The aged are generally identified by such criteria as chronological age, economic condition, physical appearance, psychological behavior, mental conditions, and social roles. While the present population of aged is characterized by lower educational and economic levels, it is anticipated that as the number of aged grows, the educational and…

Describes the use of David Savageau's book, "Retirement Places Rated," as a tool for teaching U.S. regional geography. Discusses factors used to evaluate and rate regions as retirement destinations. Includes two project assignments used in a college-level course titled "Geography of the Aged." (CFR)

Considers the unique cognitive and intellectual factors that influence the learning and education of older adults. Reviews research on patterns of intellectual and cognitive aging and the implications of patterns in attention, memory, information retrieval, and tolerance for interference in the development of cognitive training programs for older…

Reviews professional literature on developments in art education for older adults since 1980. Describes programs at the national, state, and local levels that emphasize either the crafts or fine arts approach to art education. Recommends programs that promote creative thinking and self-expression. (CFR)

Provides suggestions for a unit on the biological process of aging. Includes three activity sheets on the comparison of jaws and dentition from differently aged people, a denture survey, and eating and living without teeth. Includes a framework for organizing a course on the physiology of aging. (RT)

This training syllabus on counseling older adults is written for educators and counselors, and can be used as a single course syllabus, for inservice training, or to supplement existing courses. The book is divided into 11 training modules, each of which includes counseling implications and strategies, concrete classroom activities, suggested…

Guidelines are presented for implementing field placements in social gerontology courses. After an introduction comparing the focus, objectives, and content of two types of experience--the liberal arts field placement and the human services internship--the paper is divided into three sections. These outline recommendations for the organization,…

Describes an undergraduate course project where students helped mentally alert senior citizens write their life stories. By assisting senior citizens to organize memories and interpret life decisions, the students experienced stages they had not yet lived through. Students evaluated the course project as a positive learning and personal growth…

This coursebook provides information on the concentration in educational gerontology in the Masters Program in Adult Education at the University of Southern Maine (USM). The first section discusses educational gerontology, including its areas of focus, for whom the concentration is intended, courses in the concentration, and the certificate in…

This gerontology curriculum model for high school family life programs in Oregon is organized by concepts, objectives, strategies, resources, generalizations, and evaluation techniques. There are eight curriculum concepts and objectives in this guide: (1) attitudes; (2) factors affecting aging; (3) demographics; (4) well-being in later life; (5)…

Describes an interdisciplinary curriculum on aging that incorporates intergenerational activities, inquiry-oriented research, narrative histories, and field trips. Includes separate questionnaires for older adults and primary grade students, an annotated bibliography, and a chart of activities emphasizing knowledge, comprehension, analysis,…

The overall goal of this project was to identify a core curriculum in gerontology for seven allied health professions (radiologic technologist, radiation therapist, respiratory therapist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, physical therapy assistant, and occupational therapy assistant). The project also identified the current state of gerontology…

A project was conducted at Texas Tech University to develop a competency-based curriculum to support statewide implementation of tech prep intergenerational programs (careers in providing services to well elderly persons and to children). Project activities included the following: (1) revision and expansion of the Intergenerational Target…

This curriculum for training geriatric technicians is geared toward developing an understanding of, as well as the skills to assist with, the visually or hearing impaired older adult. The curriculum is organized in four modules. Each module is assigned a time frame and a credit unit base. The modules are divided into four major areas: knowledge,…