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State University of New York at Fredonia

The BEL project at SUNY Fredonia provided an experiential learning experience with adults age 70 and older to undergraduate social work students to develop the following two practice behaviors: (1) identify and assess their own values and biases regarding aging, and will take steps to dispel myths about aging, and (2) be able to successfully relate concepts and theories of biological and social aging to social work practice after this assignment.

To meet these goals, activities were paired in two foundation social work courses: Human Behavior in the Social Environment II and Social Work Practice Methods II (basic skills course). As students learned about aging in Human Behavior in the Social Environment II, they conducted oral history interviews with community elders as an assignment in Social Work Practice Methods II. In the Methods course, the students used their experiential learning experiences to critique their interviewing skills, while in the Human Behavior course they analyzed how they applied theory to their understanding of the older adults’ biopsychosocial development and life courses.

Courses that Included Experiential Activity:

  • Human Behavior & The Social Environment
  • Practice with Individuals

Gero Practice Behaviors:

  • Assess and address values and biases regarding aging.
  • Relate concepts and theories of aging to social work practice (e.g., cohorts, normal aging, and life course perspective).