The Intergenerational Computing Course:

Service-Learning, Gerontechnology Research, and

Computer Literacy

• Frances Goertzel Gustavson• fgustavson@pace.edu• Information Systems Department• Jean F. Coppola• jcoppola@pace.edu• Technology Systems Department• Seidenberg School of Computing• Pace University• Pleasantville, NY 10606, USA

Ms Lizzie sold used cars.

• Undergraduate courses need justification– Service learning

• Service learning– Discipline– Population being served– Learning to serve the population

• The intergenerational Computing course as a service learning course

satisfied FG’s quest for furthering computing education for general audiences

introduced FG to the important work JC and others had begun (and involved

her)

• The intergenerational computing course as groundwork for geriatriac technologoy (gerontechnology) research

• The Consortium and the IBM Assistive technology grant

• First experiences with the technology

• When viewed as part of a research project, the course and the gerontechnology research are part of a scholarly research agenda. Preliminary peer reviewed pilot work has been presented at IEEE Society and Computers 2006.

• This work is noted here because service learning can lead to scholarship in ways that aren’t obvious.

• The intergenerational computing course.

• A second course in computing

• Its students teach a first course in computing

The University Course

• THE MOUSE

• Who says the login screen is obvious?

• “generic” computing

• Role Playing

• Writing instructions

What should a first course contain?

• Can a car get a virus?• Can our students relate to seniors?• Can seniors accept our students?• Intergenerational here is used for seniors,

– What are seniors?– More specifically, at United Hebrew Geriatric

Center

• A poor first course could ruin the computing experience for seniors

UHGC

• Three groups– Independent living– Assisted living– Traditional nursing home

goals

• Improve quality of life (yes, broad)• Email• Internet• “brain games”• Searching• Chats• But first: paint, word pad, ….• And finally, graduation!