GROWING OLD IN A NEW AGE: NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL EVALUATION OF A GERONTOLOGY TELECOURSE

Author: Dubanoski Joan Pabst   Goodman Rebecca J.   Braun Kathryn L.   Roberts Ellen   Lenzer Anthony M.  

Publisher: Routledge Ltd

ISSN: 1521-0472

Source: Educational Gerontology, Vol.25, Iss.8, 1999-12, pp. : 723-740

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Abstract

Distance education is expanding rapidly and has special relevance for gerontology with its adaptability to different settings, its learner-centered convenience, its cost-effectiveness, and its appeal to nontraditional students. We evaluated the national and international use of Growing Old in a New Age, the first telecourse and public broadcasting series on gerontology. Overall results indicate that the telecourse is an effective instructional tool across higher education, community agencies, non-profit organizations, and international broadcasting settings. We discuss the incorporation of suggestions for change from the study into the ongoing development of the telecourse and suggest ways that interactivity and emerging online technology can be integrated in distance learning to produce a more effective instructional approach. Developing a model for integrating the strengths of in-class, online, and telecourse elements may prove more useful than debating their relative merits. Future directions for research include evaluation of the integrated strategies.