Learning Through Service: Developing an Intergenerational Project to Engage Students

Educational institutions are increasingly encouraging faculty to design classroom projects that take learning outside the ivory tower and into the real world. An emphasis is placed on engaging both students and community partners in a mutually beneficial project that fosters a life-long commitment to actively helping the community and people in need. This article describes an engaged learning activity utilized in an adult development psychology class. Results indicate that having the engaged learning component significantly improves students’ participation in the class content. The focus is on the logistics of the project, inherent benefits to the students, and practical implications.