Abstract:

Service-learning (SL) is a community-based learning approach that combines civic engagement with academic curricula, incorporating community service opportunities in the higher-education programs. It promotes deeper levels of understanding through experiential learning and provides the acquisition of socially responsive knowledge. Intergenerational service-learning (ISL) is one approach to SL that engages people of different generations to support each other through learning relationships. In students participating in ISL, civic engagement, sense of social responsibility and self-efficacy are increased, and negative stereotypes about older adults are reduced (Roodin et al., 2013; Ryu & Heo, 2022; Zucchero and Gibson, 2019). In older adults, complementary categories have emerged, including improvement of functional state, satisfaction, desire of continuity, positive companionship and increase of social stimulation (Roodin et al., 2013; Ruiz-Montero et al., 2020).

ISL can be an optimal way to promote digital skills in old adults (Finucane et al. 2018; Whyte, 2022). Digital technologies have an increasingly dominant role in promoting social participation and access to health care and, accordingly, educational programs aimed to promote digital skills in old adults are needed (Finucane et al. 2018; Schirmer et al. 2023). These educational programs should be adapted to the specific technology-related needs and challenges of old populations, including fears, lack of user experience, or functional limitations.

The “InterDixitais” ISL programme is presented. Its aims are:
1) to promote digital skills,
2) to decrease negative stereotypes and to increase in positive views of older adults in undergraduate students, and
3) to promote a vision of innovation and entrepreneurship in the field of longevity.

In its second edition, three courses from two different degrees participated: 7 students from 1st and 4 from 4th of the Degree in Pedagogy, and 7 from 1st of the Degree in Nursing. 14 old adults were recruited from civic centers. Two local social organizations, ASDEGAL and AGADEA, participated helping to recruit and coordinating participation. Developed within the Inventhei and DeepInventhei projects, InterDixitais effects are assessed within the EntreComp framework. The subjective perception of skills from 1 to 10 indicates an increase in students in the importance of practice in learning (9.2), creativity (8.9), communication skills (8. 8), teamwork (8.6), intergenerational actions and their interest in working with older people (9.5). Older adults showed a high degree of satisfaction, with a perceived increase in their capacity for intergenerational work (9.8) and their curiosity towards ICTs (9.5).

Future editions of InterDixitais aim to strengthen the active role of older adults by developing intergenerational workshops to test deep technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and blockchain, among others. These workshops aim to create a collaborative space where older adults and younger generations can engage in hands-on exploration and experimentation with cutting-edge technologies, leading to increased quality of life and safety.

Keywords:

Deep-technologies, service-learning, intergenerational, entrepreneurship education, innovation.