This study argues that education should be a fundamental aspect of any public policy related to aging and elderly persons. Education should not be conceived of as a process limited to the formal transmission of knowledge and techniques but rather as a fundamental human right. (UNESCO, Place de Fontenoy, 75700 Paris) (SSH)

The concept of elders as both teachers and learners needs to replace the image of elders as intrinsically wise or as necessarily dependent or burdensome. (SK)

Interpretations of aging in film parallel concepts and theories in gerontology. This article examines gerontological themes, such as wisdom and guidance roles, in this popular film. The ubiquity of aging motifs in popular film offers gerontology a significant opportunity for public education. (JPS)

This study examined non-geriatrician physicians' experiences in a geriatrics-focused faculty development program, and effects of the program on their geriatrics knowledge and their teaching and practice. In-depth interviews were conducted with all physicians (n = 26) participating in the Dean's Faculty Scholars in Aging program. Most participants…

This article discusses and describes how to use film as a creative, powerful, and effective technique for teaching social work with older adults at both the undergraduate and graduate levels of education. An analysis of student responses about the effectiveness of this teaching pedagogy is presented. The findings support the idea of using film as…

Perceptions of the aging process are of vital concern to the study of life span development. To investigate the effect of formal instruction about the aging process on students' perceptions, and to examine the relationship between performance on the Facts on Aging Quiz (FAQ) and respondent variables (age, sex, school rank and major, course…

Lay persons and professionals need to be educated on the effects of aging on human sexuality. Effective communication techniques and accurate sexuality information can lead to prevention of psychosocial problems and sexual dysfunction. (Author/DF)

Camp Fire Inc. offers a "Friendship across the Ages" program that brings older adults and children together. The adults share knowledge and skills, and the young people benefit from having an adult listen to them. (DF)

Describes The Road of Life, a board game developed to increase understanding of the experiences of the elderly by simulating the gains and losses of old age. The game, followed by a group discussion, is an effective way to facilitate an increased understanding of old age. (JAC)

This cross-sectional study assessed undergraduate attitudes toward older adults and attitude endurance 3 to 18 months after aging coursework. Survey respondents included 349 students who took an aging elective and 430 comparison students. Aging-elective students indicated more positive attitudes than comparison students. Attitudes did not vary…

The present study examines the impact of including lessons on aging in a 12th grade social studies course on student perceptions of aging and older adults, working with older persons, and knowledge of "facts" on aging. Pre/post-test data were collected from approximately 650 upstate New York 12th grade students enrolled in a government…

Five teachers developed and tested creative, subtle approaches to the use of aging-related source material in language arts activities, an effort which resulted in this volume of 14 self-contained activities. These activities have been successfully field-tested in junior or senior high school classes, resulting in gains in language arts skills,…

Provides concise reviews and ordering information for five ERIC documents giving practical information for classroom teachers. Topics are: (1) a review of social studies research, (2) research on concept teaching, (3) a study of preservice elementary teachers' knowledge of social studies content, (4) methods of reducing prejudice in the classroom,…

Describes a ten and one-half hour upper elementary grade level unit of instruction on the physical, social, and psychological aspects of aging among the elderly. Copies of the course are available from the author. (JDH)

Discusses how women's issues, domestic violence, aging, and elder abuse all relate to social work education and then suggests how they can be integrated together into the social work curriculum through teaching about elder domestic violence. (EV)