November 26, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
DeKalb County Schools has formed an intergenerational partnership between students and assisted living residents at our local NHC. Intergenerational classrooms (iGen) are places where the young, old, and in between can pursue lifelong learning in mutually beneficial ways. Dr. Kathy Bryant explains, “Our goals for this partnership include providing an opportunity for students to become confident, independent learners through the inquiry process, offering experiences for intergenerational learning and sharing of values between generations, and developing leadership and relationship skills for students.”
Students will make visits to meet with the assisted living residents of NHC in Smithville. Starting in the spring semester, approximately twenty 12th grade students will visit the assistive living residents at NHC on four different occasions. During those visits, students will interview the assisted living residents who wish to participate in the iGen classroom. Students will create prototype devices in the DeKalb County High School Makerspace in order to assist residents with their daily needs. Students will meet with residents multiple times to make modifications to those prototypes as needed. Once the residents are pleased with the performance of the devices, they will be left with the resident for their personal use. Amy Fricks, the facilitator of the iGen classroom states, “This partnership provides an opportunity for students to practice the engineering design process while engaging in service learning. Our goal for service learning projects like this one is for students to gain important experience working with and meeting the needs of others in our community.”
Mr. Clint Hall, Director of NHC in Smithville, is excited about this partnership. Hall states, “The reason NHC and The Foundation for Geriatric Education decided to fund this project is that the assisted living residents are going to have the opportunity to interact with the young students.” He also mentioned that he had many intelligent residents who could offer their own expertise to the students. Often, students’ daily school schedules only allow students to visit elders on a family planned visit on the weekends or evenings. The iGen classroom time during the school day can expand opportunities for interactions among the students and residents that might not otherwise occur due to schedule limitations. Additionally, the iGen classroom visits will foster learning and socio-emotional development for students and provide an opportunity for powerful relationships that enrich the lives of young people and elders. Mr. Patrick Cripps, Director of Schools, is excited for this opportunity. “Connecting the multigenerational gap with the funds donated by NHC and The Foundation for Geriatric Education will support the iGen classroom concept while addressing the needs of today while making a better tomorrow.”