Offering Service-Learning in Gerontology Through a Coordinated Curriculum Model

The purpose of this project was to develop a model for introducing service learning to an entire academic gerontology program curriculum. Brief historical backgrounds of service-learning and of gerontology are provided, along with a discussion of the separate but unique role o f practicum in the field o f gerontology. Service-learning is a form o f experiential education in which students engage in activities that address human and community needs together with structured opportunities intentionally designed to promote student learning and development. Reflection and reciprocity are key concepts of service-learning. The project builds upon the emerging importance of service-learning in higher education and more specifically the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education's (AGHE) efforts in solidifying intergenerational service-learning's presence in gerontology curricula. The proposed "Coordinated Curriculum Model" centralizes the service-learning components and many o f the administrative duties related to service-learning in an academic gerontology curriculum. A knowledgeable service-learning coordinator administers and integrates service-learning for several gerontology courses in a program's curriculum, as opposed to each faculty member administering service-learning in their respective courses.