A Cognitive Social Media Training Program and Intergenerational Learning: A Pilot Study With Older Adults and Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students

Abstract

PurposeThe current research was a pilot study of the #GoldenTweets social media training program. Specifically, the research sought to explore (a) how the program in general was perceived by 2 groups of participants, namely, normally aging adults and graduate clinicians, and (b) how both groups perceived the use of Twitter, the platform incorporated into the program, as a social media.MethodParticipants included normally aging adults and graduate student clinicians working with these individuals to implement the training program. The 13-week program was structured into 4 phases: (a) pre-assessment, (b) social media training, (c) social media engagement, and (d) postassessment. Participation outcomes were measured through qualitative data obtained from postprogram discussions and postprogram clinician surveys.ResultsAnalyses of participants' responses revealed changes across older adult and graduate student clinician skills in technology and communication applications, as well as perceptions of social media use. Both groups of participants indicated the intergenerational aspects of the program were the greatest strength of the program and their learning.ConclusionOur findings support the use of a cognitive social media training tool to promote intergenerational learning, communication, and stimulation.