In narrative constructed in conversations, older adults often present "small stories." These narrative fragments provide extensive information about their experiences, values, and aspects of their lives that can be used to help learners understand key concepts about aging and the life course. The authors provide an overview of approaches…

This article derives from the experience of teaching an asynchronous web-based course, Communicating with Older Persons with Alzheimer's Disease, taught by a multidisciplinary team of three faculty. The students also were multidisciplinary with diverse cultural and educational backgrounds and varied professional experience with older adults. Our…

Two studies found some increase in information about aging among 48 participants in a professional development program in gerontology. Attitudes toward aging and the aged improved. Employers who paid for employee participation were pleased with the results. (SK)

Basic understanding of research methods is appropriate for associate degree gerontology education. Undergraduates need introduction to issues involved in elder research. Masters' students should develop in-depth understanding of gerontology research methods; doctoral students require knowledge and ability to apply methods. (Contains 24…

A teaching practicum for gerontology graduate students involves collaboration between faculty mentors and students, learning contracts, and performance strategies to ensure goals are met. Deliberate ambiguity about graduate students' role in the undergraduate classroom and the need to balance high-quality instruction and development of teaching…

A problem with gerontology theory is that it focuses on a social view of the aged, ignoring individual and cultural variables. A person is judged to have aged successfully if he has adjusted to society's definition of an "elderly person." Similarly, most studies of programs and options for the aged reflect the view of the service…

This article derives from the experience of teaching an asynchronous web-based course, Communicating with Older Persons with Alzheimer's Disease, taught by a multidisciplinary team of three faculty. The students also were multidisciplinary with diverse cultural and educational backgrounds and varied professional experience with older adults. Our…