Innovations in Teaching Gerontology Content

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN

Mckeachie (2002) defines active learning as "learning experiences in which the students are thinking about the subject matter" (p. 30). The focus of instruction is shifted from the teacher to the learner. Learner-centered instructional strategies include cooperative learning (group work, team projects, debate, and student discussions), experiential learning (service learning, fieldwork, and internships), inductive learning (case studies, problem-based learning, reading assignments, and role-playing), simulations (virtual patients and games), and writing (journals, papers, and reports), (Felder, 2010; Mckeachie, 2002). The American association of colleges of nursing (2008) advocates the use of "powerful, active, and collaborative instructional methods" in nursing education (p. 37).

The following is a list of active learning strategies that are specifically geared to teaching gerontology in an innovative way:

Active learning strategy description

Games

Into aging class game; geropardy rounds (team competition along the lines of "jeopardy")

Three rhymes

"I will be old when _____." Finish that and draw a picture of yourself as an older adult.

Shoebox exercise

You have to move into a long-term care facility. What will you take with you that will fit in the shoebox? (choices/ costs of relocation)

Innovation exercise

Develop something for the future for older adults; create an ideal geriatric hospital

Ageism exercise

Bring something that demonstrates society's prevailing attitude for aging; card display rack; cartoons

Reflection on aging experience

Discuss how you felt when being treated as an older person (independent life-style, semi-dependent, and nursing home).

Experiential learning project

Heart failure; incontinence

Sensory kit

Provides an experiential method for students to learn about sensory changes that occur with aging (vision, touch, and taste)

Three pieces of paper

Write down three precious memories. Give away one, then another, and finally the last. This is what dementia does.

Case studies

Mega gero-case study; integrative case study; depression, pain, polypharmacy, nutrition, genitourinary; exemplars of clinical problems of older adults

Oral presentation

Healthcare topic relevant to the older adult

Powerpoint presentations

Stroke, urinary incontinence, constipation, vaccinations, pneumonia, congestive heart failure, falls, vision and hearing loss, quality improvement proposal

Group project

Evidence-based practice group project

Group presentation

Gerontological nursing in assisted living; gerontological nursing in community-based care; safety in long-term care; safety in acute care settings

Formal debate

Should families provide for their own (pro/con)? Should age rather than need be the basis for entitlement (pro/con)?

Academic papers and writing exercises

Teaching-learning discharge paper; quality improvement paper; healthy aging; positive aging; elder interview paper; geriatric issues paper; ethical argument writing assignment; analysis of clinical issue in long-term care facility; intensive care unit analysis; reflective practice paper; aging in the global village; annotated bibliographies; website find and report

Content area review modules/ content mastery exams

ATI; Evolve

Medication assignment

Sophisticated analysis of medications of selected older client

Medicare assignment

Go to official medicare website to answer questions.

Life review project

Interview an older adult and come up with a product to capture the essence of the person's life (written memoir, scrapbook, powerpoint, poster, etc.)

Simulations

"Mock" home visit; unfolding case study; virtual hospital; virtual dementia tour

"Happy Feet" project

Foot soak, creams, massage, cautious toe nail care

Service learning projects

Working with an agency that services elders: meals on wheels, project live, habitat for humanity

Interdisciplinary project

Create a fall risk assessment.

In-service education programs

Your future self (senior high school students); health talks for older adults (falls prevention, nutrition, medications, heart health); health fairs for older adults; neighborhood crime prevention; scams targeting older adults; elder abuse

Interacting with well elderly

Teaching projects at senior sites; literacy programs; story-telling circle; pottery than can be baked in the microwave; functional assessment; falls assessment; pair student with elder in community; portfolio; senior mentor consultations (blog entries); interview with an older adult

Assessment

Geriatric health assessment report

Resident-directed care plan

Outlines nursing care to be provided to a resident (such as diet, transfer, special positioning, dentures, bowel or bladder retraining schedules, etc.)

References

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2008). The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education of Professional Nursing Practice. Retrieved from American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) > Home

Felder, R. (2010). Student-Centered Teaching and Learning.

Mckeachie, W. J. (2002). Mckeachie's Teaching Tips: Strategies, Research, and Theory for College and University Teachers (11th ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.