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Symposium

Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education

Nudging Attitude Change Through Experience: Undergraduate Curricular Innovations

Wednesday, November 8, 2023
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET
Location: Room 305

Drawing students into gerontology and geriatrics remains a perennial challenge in light of negative stereotypes and ageism deeply entrenched in society. Nonetheless, instructors continue to forge ahead with curricular innovations designed to dismantle stereotypes, promote deeper understanding of the later stage of life, cultivate appreciation for the contributions of older adults, and entice students to consider further academic, extracurricular, and vocational opportunities in the field. This symposium brings together scholars and instructors who have implemented and evaluated course innovations with these goals in mind. The first presentation reviews findings from the Bringing Art to Life program that pairs teams of undergraduate students with persons with dementia attending an adult day services program and engaging in structured art therapy and reminiscence. The next presenter describes positive attitude change about aging among undergraduates in an advanced public health service-learning course. Next is a discussion of how health policy education has been successfully built into an undergraduate adult development and aging course. The fourth presentation summarizes results from a randomized educational intervention to undergraduate students to enhance death education and ensure more equitable access to quality end-of-life services and supports. The final presentation describes innovations in training MSTEM undergraduate students in aging. A Discussant will synthesize themes across presentations and engage session attendees to respond and share their own curricular experiences.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe curricular innovations in undergraduate courses designed to change attitudes about aging and older adults in positive directions.
  • Describe quantitative findings regarding the impact of various curricular innovations and their effectiveness.

Presentations:

  • 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET
    Bringing Art to Life: Experiential Learning Outcomes With Graduate and Undergraduate Student Learners

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Rebecca S. Allen, PhD, ABPP (she/her/hers) – The University of Alabama

  • 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET
    The Impact of a Service-Learning Course on Undergraduate Student Attitudes Toward Older Adults

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Britteny M. Howell, PhD, CPG, CDP (she/her/hers) – University of Alaska Anchorage

  • 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET
    Integrating Health Policy Education Into an Undergraduate Psychology Course

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Kelly A. O'Malley, PhD (she/her/hers) – VA Boston Healthcare System

  • 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET
    Advancing Diversity in Aging: The AGE-ADAR Scholars Program at WVU

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Julie Hicks Patrick, PhD (she/her/hers) – West Virginia University

  • 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET
    An Educational Intervention for Undergraduate Students to Promote Awareness of End-of-Life Options

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Kelly O'Sullivan, BS (she/her/hers) – Washington State University