|
Valparaiso's gerontology-rehabilitation specialist, Dr. Kristen
Mauk capitalized on opportunity in 2001 by securing the John
A. Hartford Foundation funding for gerontological curricular
enhancement. Dean and faculty members, having just launched
a full curricular redesign that emphasized community based
teaching, were thus primed to integrate gerontological content
across the full curriculum. In addition, The Aging Process,
previously an elective, became a required junior year course
and an option for all university students. Other grant related
developments included creation of: a geonotology certificate
program; increased promotion of the human aging minor; an
inspired service learning project; new partnerships with local
senior centers and assisted living facilities; and faculty
development activities.
Grant inspires new gerontology minor and certificate
Dr. Mauk participated in an interdisciplinary committee that
aimed to further the gerontology cause university-wide. Committee
efforts generated creation of a gerontology certificate and
a concentration in gerontology for graduate students. Six
to eight gerontology-related stand-alones that were either
already available or in the planning stages at various schools
across campus were coordinated to enhance the specialty minor
in human aging and the corresponding certificate program.
Gerontology course becomes requirement; attracts students
from other schools
The Aging Process, now a mandatory junior year nursing
course and requirement of the university's human aging minor,
has been offered twice to date. As its popularity spreads
through the schools of theology, social work, psychology and
law, its student base continues to expand.
The course incorporates use of a virtual learning lab, including
gerontology-specific training tools, e.g. "Seymour Butts,"
a pair of imitation human buttocks with pressure sores, as
well as a full mannequin with interchangeable parts. Especially
intriguing to its students are the lab's aging simulation
exercises, reports Dr. Mauk. Students rotate through stations
where they don eye glasses that simulate cataracts, put on
floppy gloves before attempting to remove pills from vials,
and transport themselves great distances via wheelchairs,
etc. Dr. Mauk, since teaching this course, has been nominated
by her students for the university's "Caterpillar Award
for Excellence in Teaching."
Service learning projects give students gerontology expertise
Service learning projects are required of students enrolled
in The Aging Process. Dr. Mauk sets students up in
groups of five, and assigns each group to one of several community
sites, which include senior day centers, assisted living facilities,
and several churches. She gives each group a topic, e.g. the
aging eye; nutrition for seniors; all about Alzheimer's. Student
groups prepare presentations relative to their assigned topics
and create teaching tools for residents/participants.
Before officially presenting, students practice in the classroom
to illicit peer feedback. They post attractive flyers that
advertise their presentations at their sites. The JAHF funding
helped purchase a lap top and projector for student use in
this project. Student presentations incorporate power point
slides, posters and hands-on experiences. Student created
teaching tools include: refrigerator magnets that list the
warning signs of stroke and bookmarks that enumerate facts
about nutrition. Ultimately, through the service learning
experience, each student becomes an expert on a gerontology-specific
subject.
Gerontology course incorporates inventive exercises
Dr. Mauk's course employs several creative techniques to
sensitize her students to the aging process. For instance,
each student begins the semester by generating a list of adjectives
that come to mind when considering older adults. The exercise
is repeated on the last day of class. Dr. Mauk notes considerable
improvement in attitude by semester's end.
Students are also instructed to purchase age related greeting
cards, which serve as springboards for discussion about ageism.
They analyze how the cards' messages make fun of normal aging
changes, e.g. sagging breasts, memory loss, constipation,
etc. Dr. Mauk also shows her students a picture of her parents,
and asks them to guess their occupations. Students inevitably
peg them as carpenters or laborers, given their informal attire--her
father is actually a doctor. She cautions her students, "looks
can be deceiving; you cannot tell the depth and wisdom of
people at first glance-you must take the time to get to know
them."
She also recruited a nursing home director and an attorney,
who speak to students about advocating on behalf of families
regarding malpractice issues. And finally, she takes her students
on a "Visit with Pearl," to speak with this remarkable
centenarian about living over 100 years.
Conclusion
Valparaiso University School of Nursing has done an exemplary
job of maximizing possibilities since receiving its John A.
Hartford funding. Dr. Mauk feels the greatest benefit of this
grant funding to her school has been "the sustainable
emphasis on gerontology," resulting from full faculty
commitment, full curricular integration and creation of a
required stand-alone course. Valparaiso offers a revitalized
human aging minor and a gerontology certificate program. Its
curriculum sponsors a gerontological virtual learning lab.
Service learning projects are providing students with valuable
gerontology related community based experiences, and with
expertise in their individual areas of interest. The school's
stand-alone course remains packed with inspiring, interactive
components. Clearly, as Valparaiso's gerontology program continues
its expansion, it is enriching student learning opportunities
campus-wide.
Syllabus
Students Nominate Dr. Mauk for Teaching
Excellence Award
Principal Investigator Contact Information:
Dr. Kristen Mauk, PhD, RN, CRRN-A, APRN, BC
School of Nursing
LeBien Hall 116
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Tel. 219.464.5285
Kris.Mauk@valpo.edu
|
