Intergenerational Forum to Enhance Students’ Engagement and Learning Outcomes: A Community-Based Participatory Research Study

ABSTRACT

The Intergenerational Forum (IF) is an innovative intervention that engages students in conducting community-based participatory research (CBPR). This set of guided learning opportunities is designed to improve college students’ understanding of aging and health issues in their communities. In this study, a total of 252 mentoring hours were provided in kind by 78 students. The majority of these youth volunteers were aspiring health professionals who had received intensive academic and field training to strengthen their interpersonal skills and ability to build meaningful one-on-one relationships with vulnerable populations. Additionally, these student volunteers were at higher risk for mental health issues. Findings revealed that as a result of IF, students were able to improve their knowledge and attitudes toward working with older people. Students were able to combine ideas from courses when completing this IF assignment. Particularly, levels of active and collaborative learning were` enriched by engagement with people representing different economic backgrounds, political views, and religious beliefs. Major themes emerged in students’ narrative data revealed their learning outcomes in the areas of self-awareness, empathy, empowerment, and new perspectives about ageism.

KEYWORDS:

• Community-based participatory research
• information technology
• intergenerational learning
• mentoring
• student engagement

Funding

This study is funded by the chancellor’s Diversity Challenge Fund and the Scholarship for Teaching and Learning at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Additional information

Funding

This study is funded by the chancellor’s Diversity Challenge Fund and the Scholarship for Teaching and Learning at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.