Bridging Generation Gaps Through Service-Learning in Higher Education: A Systematic Review
Advances in health care have led to an increased life expectancy for the older populations. An increasing body of research warns of the need to provide opportunities for older people to develop their potential for physical, mental, and social well-being during the aging process. In this context, uni...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Education |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2022.841482/full |
| _version_ | 1818319752943108096 |
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| author | Marian Aláez Ariane Díaz-Iso Almudena Eizaguirre María García-Feijoo |
| author_facet | Marian Aláez Ariane Díaz-Iso Almudena Eizaguirre María García-Feijoo |
| author_sort | Marian Aláez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Advances in health care have led to an increased life expectancy for the older populations. An increasing body of research warns of the need to provide opportunities for older people to develop their potential for physical, mental, and social well-being during the aging process. In this context, universities have incorporated the service-learning (SL) methodology into their curricular and extracurricular programs. They attempt to offer their students experiences that allow them, from their experience and reflection, to advance in knowledge, skills and attitudes toward the older population group. Therefore, this methodology allows linking academic activities with social commitment, involving young people, as genuine agents of social change, in constructing a fairer, more inclusive, and supportive society. Despite the large body of research on the definition and benefits that students generally derive from SL, there are no systematic reviews of the full range of benefits that SL experiences, specifically with older people, provide to all participants. In this context, a rigorous systematic review was conducted by referring to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement and based on Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, and Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) databases, to answer one research question: What benefits do SL experiences that engage university students with older people, provide to the groups of participants? The analysis of the 28 selected research papers provides insights into the academic literature on the benefits of such experiences. On the one hand, they refer to the integral development of the student. On the other hand, they refer to the intergenerational relationships that promote the well-being of the elderly. Finally, the ethical commitment of the university, residences, agencies, and other organizations is mentioned. As a result, the positive impact on the community is highlighted. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T10:14:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-72ee6eef84f24b14833ad3cd8fdf9b25 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2504-284X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T10:14:07Z |
| publishDate | 2022-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-72ee6eef84f24b14833ad3cd8fdf9b252022-12-21T23:51:21ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Education2504-284X2022-02-01710.3389/feduc.2022.841482841482Bridging Generation Gaps Through Service-Learning in Higher Education: A Systematic ReviewMarian Aláez0Ariane Díaz-Iso1Almudena Eizaguirre2María García-Feijoo3Faculty of Law, Private Law, University of Deusto, Bilbao, SpainFaculty of Education and Sports, Education Department, University of Deusto, Bilbao, SpainDeusto Business School, Management Department, University of Deusto, Bilbao, SpainDeusto Business School, Management Department, University of Deusto, Bilbao, SpainAdvances in health care have led to an increased life expectancy for the older populations. An increasing body of research warns of the need to provide opportunities for older people to develop their potential for physical, mental, and social well-being during the aging process. In this context, universities have incorporated the service-learning (SL) methodology into their curricular and extracurricular programs. They attempt to offer their students experiences that allow them, from their experience and reflection, to advance in knowledge, skills and attitudes toward the older population group. Therefore, this methodology allows linking academic activities with social commitment, involving young people, as genuine agents of social change, in constructing a fairer, more inclusive, and supportive society. Despite the large body of research on the definition and benefits that students generally derive from SL, there are no systematic reviews of the full range of benefits that SL experiences, specifically with older people, provide to all participants. In this context, a rigorous systematic review was conducted by referring to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement and based on Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, and Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) databases, to answer one research question: What benefits do SL experiences that engage university students with older people, provide to the groups of participants? The analysis of the 28 selected research papers provides insights into the academic literature on the benefits of such experiences. On the one hand, they refer to the integral development of the student. On the other hand, they refer to the intergenerational relationships that promote the well-being of the elderly. Finally, the ethical commitment of the university, residences, agencies, and other organizations is mentioned. As a result, the positive impact on the community is highlighted.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2022.841482/fullservice-learning (SL)agingintergenerationbenefitshigher educationsystematic review |
| spellingShingle | Marian Aláez Ariane Díaz-Iso Almudena Eizaguirre María García-Feijoo Bridging Generation Gaps Through Service-Learning in Higher Education: A Systematic Review Frontiers in Education service-learning (SL) aging intergeneration benefits higher education systematic review |
| title | Bridging Generation Gaps Through Service-Learning in Higher Education: A Systematic Review |
| title_full | Bridging Generation Gaps Through Service-Learning in Higher Education: A Systematic Review |
| title_fullStr | Bridging Generation Gaps Through Service-Learning in Higher Education: A Systematic Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Bridging Generation Gaps Through Service-Learning in Higher Education: A Systematic Review |
| title_short | Bridging Generation Gaps Through Service-Learning in Higher Education: A Systematic Review |
| title_sort | bridging generation gaps through service learning in higher education a systematic review |
| topic | service-learning (SL) aging intergeneration benefits higher education systematic review |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2022.841482/full |
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