Social isolation is a major concern as our community responds to COVID-19, particularly for elderly people.
Year 6 students from Our Lady Queen of Peace Primary (OLQP) Greystanes have learnt a new and innovative way to connect with elders living in their local area through a new program which uses the `face to face’ communication benefits of video conferencing!
The program is called Intergenerational Learning and enables meaningful connection and learning between students in a classroom and elders living in an aged care home.
OLQP Principal Michael Hopley said the school held its first video call in Term 3 last year. “Now we have up to 30 students from Year 6 who conduct regular calls with the elders four to five times a term. Topics are based on the school curriculum and are aligned with current assessment tasks,’’ Mr Hopley said.
The program is led by Griffith University alumni and Intergenerational Care research team member Greg Cronan.
Intergenerational learning researcher Greg Cronan (left) with Our Lady Queen of Peace school principal Michael Hopley. PHOTO: Alphonsus Fok
Mr Cronan said the program began as an academic research project and data gathering exercise. “My passion has been to connect students and the elderly for learning interactions which are mutually meaningful. This has resulted in huge benefits for both age groups. The pastoral care benefits are enormous for the elders and healthcare staff at the aged care home in addition to the students, their parents and teachers.”
Topics are chosen and shared with the students, the elders and aged care staff to enable all participants to prepare a few days before each video call and ensure time for learning is used effectively. The aim is to create a free-flowing conversation with an exchange of ideas.
The set up is as simple as dialing a video call from a laptop and connecting it to a TV so the whole class and elders at the aged care home can see each other. Mr Cronan also provided integrated microphones with speakers to ensure each group heard each other clearly.
Our Lady Queen of Peace Principal Michael Hopley said the outcomes have been extraordinary. “Students have become more confident in speaking and more empathetic in understanding feelings and emotions. Their vocabulary has increased as has their ability to ask open ended, probing questions. Many have developed better relationships with their own grandparents and family,’’ Mr Hopley said.
“The facility manager of Southern Cross Care stated the elders are happier, eating better, sleeping better, socialising more, are less anxious and less depressed. They consistently talk about ‘the kids’. Staff are also happier. The whole experience has been a fun and enjoyable learning experience for both age groups,’’ Mr Hopley said.
The school currently does four to five sessions a term, but would like to do these more often and expand the program to other Year groups.
Norm Hillier, 95, chats with students of Our Lady Queen of Peace Greystanes. PHOTO: Alphonsus Fok
The two groups together for the first time after weeks of video conferencing which showed the benefits of technology to promote learning for young and old. PHOTOS: Alphonsus Fok
Photos: Catholic Weekly. Video content thanks to Greg Conan
