The Co-mentoring Project: Overview and Outcomes

• Main Author: Renée A. Zucchero
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Park University 2008-08-01
• Series: InSight : A Journal of Scholarly Teaching
• Subjects: scholarship of teaching and learning; pedagogy; mentoring; developmental psychology
• Online Access: http://www.insightjournal.net/Volume3/ComentoringProject.pdf

The Co-mentoring Project matched developmental psychology students with older adult volunteers for an intergenerational learning experience. Students conducted a biopsychosocial life review to increase understanding of older adult development and the continuity in lifespan development. Each student developed a summary paper containing the older adult’s life history, a developmental analysis, and personal reflection. A project description, including the scholarship of teaching and learning, and an overview of its outcomes are presented. The project goal was accomplished; students positively evaluated learning outcomes and displayed a significant increase in knowledge about older adults and aging. Implications for college instructors are discussed.