A Hands-On Approach to Teaching about Aging: 32 Activities for the Classroom and Beyond

Harnessing the proven benefits of active learning strategies, this is the first activity book created for a broad spectrum of courses in aging-related higher education. It features 32 classroom and community-based educational activities for instructors seeking to introduce or enhance aging content in their courses. Underscoring the interdisciplinary nature of aging studies, the book encompasses teaching strategies for instructors in such disciplines as counseling, family studies, gerontology, geriatrics, medicine, psychology, public administration, public health, nursing, social work, sociology, speech pathology, and others.

This peer-reviewed collection of hands-on activities is designed by noted educators in aging and incorporates Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) competencies. It offers clear, step-by-step procedures for implementing each activity, including preparation, introduction, the activity itself, discussion/reflection, wrap-up or follow-up if appropriate, and assessment. The book also addresses learning outcomes and includes recommendations for number of participants, settings, materials, and time required. Encompassing key, impactful issues affecting older individuals, the text examines ageism and aging in the media, dementia, demography, health care, housing, physical aging, policy and politics of aging, positive interactions with older adults, and spirituality. In addition to the book’s value to students, its activities are also beneficial to professionals instructing or participating in staff trainings, in-services, and continuing education.

Key Features:

• Contains 32 experiential learning activities for students in a great variety of aging-related disciplines
• Designed for activities in the classroom, in the community, online, and take-home
• Provides clear, step-by-step procedures for each activity from implementation through assessment
• Addresses student learning outcomes and includes a glossary
• Incorporates AGHE competencies
• Provides worksheets and forms to be downloaded for printing or electronic completion

Hallie Baker, PhD, is Associate Professor, Psychology Department, Muskingum University.

Tina M. Kruger, PhD, is Associate Professor, Department of Applied Health Sciences, Indiana State University (ISU). Dr. Kruger developed and directs an undergraduate Gerontology certificate program at ISU.

Rona J. Karasik, PhD, FAGHE, FGSA, is a professor and director of the Gerontology Program at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN, where she works with a broad range of community partners and supervises undergraduate and graduate gerontology interns. With over thirty years of teaching and research experience, Dr. Karasik is the author of numerous publications and presentations on gerontology internships, service-learning, classroom- and community-based activities, and incorporating anti-racist pedagogy into the gerontological curriculum. Dr. Karasik holds fellow status in both the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) and the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) and is the recipient of local and national teaching awards, including AGHE's "Distinguished Faculty" award. Currently, Dr. Karasik is the editor-in-chief of Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, the official journal of the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education.