Ageism is a relevant topic of study because of its inevitability for all humankind. Student attitudes toward the elderly are generally negative and often follow stereotyped views found in books. An outline for use in developing a curriculum on aging is provided. (DF)

As society ages, changes in education will include: the development of educational services for older people; the preparation of qualified personnel to serve the elderly; the education of the public about the processes of aging; and the acceleration of efforts to expand and deepen the knowledge base about aging. (MLW)

The media reinforce negative stereotypes and encourage the belief that Americans abuse and neglect their aging parents. Current research does not support these stereotypes. But public education about aging and the relationships among older adults and their children is needed. (Author/SK)

Argues that including study of family relationships in adult development and aging courses is desirable because family members are key sources of support throughout adulthood. Includes suggestions for course activities, and instructor and student resources related to family gerontology. (DSK)

Outlines two projects that highlight the multidimensionality of aging processes for adult development and aging courses: (1) students design an age-appropriate retirement community using buildings on the local college campus; and (2) students present products they design to remedy specific age-related problems. (DSK)

This article explores the benefits of using cross-cultural, anthropological approaches to help students understand the varying experience of aging within the United States and around the globe. Through cultural comparison and increased knowledge of the cultural context of aging standardized aspects of practice such as assessment protocols and…

A National Institute on Aging-funded pilot project to study advice-giving by older adult mothers to their middle-aged daughters was undertaken in a medium-sized teaching-intensive university. The student body and community are highly diverse, and many undergraduates are first-generation college students. In this context, undergraduate psychology…

Directors of California State University (CSU) gerontology, geriatrics, and aging studies (GGA) academic programs were surveyed regarding CSU capacity to fulfill demographic and legislative mandates to prepare professional personnel for work with the state's aging population. Program directors affirmed the importance of providing GGA education and…

This project aimed to build gerontological expertise among faculty from the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) colleges who train students and paraprofessionals to deal with American Indian elders. The objective was primarily accomplished through an intensive 3-week summer institute on aging and through independent readings in…

To help students identify with and appreciate the elderly, this annotated bibliography lists 24 books for kindergarten through seventh grade that involve children and young people in close relationships with older people. Annotations, divided according to primary level or upper elementary level, include publisher and date of publication, as well…

This guide provides background information and learning activities to help teachers provide educational experiences for elementary students regarding older Americans and the process of aging. There are two major sections. The first section contains a facts-on-aging quiz and discusses facts and myths about older citizens. Examined are feelings and…

By participating in these class activities, students will acquire mathematical skills and at the same time learn about aging. Topics related to aging are often quantitative, and therefore, subject to mathematical analysis and procedures. The activities, which contain teacher suggestions and all student handouts, deal with seven topics. In the…

The authors discuss the need for teaching about how families deal with the problems of aging as part of the home economics curriculum. They describe a series of slide-tape programs and a game that are potential classroom resources on this topic. (CH)

Students ask five individuals what three terms or words come to mind when they hear the term old person. The student prepares an overall list and frequency count of responses. Students present their findings to the class. Each response is discussed and its connotation (e.g., negative, positive, neutral) determined. (RM)

Investigated the effects of a guidance unit about older persons upon 90 elementary school children in two schools. The experimental unit proved effective for both boys and girls, suggesting that perceptions of children about the aging process and the elderly can be positively changed. (Author/JAC)