Integrating Intergenerational Learning into Elder Education in University: A Case Study from Taiwan

ABSTRACT

In an aging society, caring for older adults poses large burden on the working population; in this context, positive intergenerational interaction and understanding are thus extremely crucial. Here, we developed a model to integrate intergenerational learning into elder education in university by conducting a case study at a Taiwanese university by using a 6-year experimental teaching programme. We performed content analysis to examine the syllabi of courses, students’ midterm and final reflective reports each year, as well as the interview from teachers who had participated in the experimental project. With reference to the current intergenerational theories and case study in Taiwan, we constructed a teaching model to guide university teachers in how to construct an intergenerational learning course from goal setting, elder member introduction, and content design to course evaluation. We also proposed the principles of course design and the teacher’s role and identified the challenges faced during the promotion of intergenerational learning.

KEYWORDS:

• Higher education
• intergenerational learning
• teaching model
• elder education