Talk of Ages: Using intergenerational classroom modules to engage older and younger students across the curriculum

Abstract

ABSTRACTAge-friendly college campuses offer opportunities for lifelong learning for students of all ages. University-based retirement communities are especially well aligned with this goal by allowing residents to enroll in college courses. Although this arrangement is a standard educational option for college-linked communities, it can have challenges. In particular, the semester-long schedule may be inconvenient for many older students. The Talk of Ages intergenerational module program described in this case study was designed to offer an alternative curricular format to bring older and younger students together for 1 to 2 weeks in focused course activities. To encourage participation across the curriculum, instructors were urged to draw on existing course content. Initial feedback about the program indicated that instructors as well as older and younger students found the program appealing. Useful suggestions for refining the program were also revealed.