This document discusses intergenerational learning using video conferencing in Australia. It provides an overview of several intergenerational learning programs between students and older adults in aged care facilities. The presentation observes intergenerational video calls and discusses technology best practices, including arranging seating and equipment to facilitate clear communication. It also shares examples of intergenerational discussions on topics like biographies, health, and school subjects. The document outlines benefits of these programs for students, older adults, and their communities.

1. Friday 12th March 2021
Intergenerational learning using video conferencing
Professor Emeritus Anneke Fitzgerald
Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
Greg Cronan: Researcher / Program Director
Intergenerational Learning Australia
Presented by:

2. Intergenerational learning using video conferencing
An overview of intergenerational practice in Australia by
Emeritus Professor Anneke Fitzgerald
• Maranatha House – Regional NSW
• Mornington Peninsula – Victoria
• Interest from NSW Crown Land
• Intergenerational Practice Pilot – Perth (Western Australia)
• The Hub – Intergenerational Practice Collaboratory (Cromwell)
• MRFF Grant Intergenerational Practice

3. Intergenerational learning using video conferencing
Overview of intergenerational learning using video conferencing in Australia
By Greg Cronan - Intergenerational Learning Australia
Observe and assess an intergenerational learning in a ‘virtual’ environment
Technology best practices for intergenerational via video conferencing
Share experiences with you about intergenerational learning programs
Scaling and expanding the program – barriers and solutions
Q & A

4. Intergenerational learning using video conferencing
Recording of highlights from intergenerational learning video conferences
with comments from a Residential Aged Care Home Facility Manager
and School Students
(4 minute video)

5. How did you get to school?
Question by a student at the back of the room.
Biographical questions to elders from students.
2. I rode my bike
for 10 miles to
get to school in
Adelaide.
4. I walked for
five minutes
to get to
school.
3. It took us
about half an
hour to walk
to school.
5. I used
Shanks’ pony
to get to
school!

6. Healthy Lifestyles / PDHPE Discussions:
3. Junk food?
Hamburgers! Did
you eat hamburgers
at school or going
to school?
1. Did you
ever have any
junk food?
2. What do
you mean by
‘junk food’?
4. Hamburgers weren’t around when I was
at school. They hadn’t been invented then.
Matter of fact, I’ve never eaten a
hamburger in my life…. and I’m 93!
(Students were shocked to hear Rex say he had never eaten a hamburger!)

7. Range of School Subjects: English
1. What was your
favourite subject? Why?
3. Why was English
your favourite subject?
2.English was my
favourite subject.
4. I loved poems
and writing poems
6. In Mauritius
I learnt French
and English
5. In England, we
just did the 3 R’s:
reading, writing
and ‘rithmetic
7. I loved sports
like footy. I was
not good at
English or Maths
This discussion led to students
working in groups of four to write
poems about each resident. These
poems were recited by the students in
the subsequent video call.

8. Healthy Lifestyles / PDHPE Discussions
3. This student was shocked
at Rex’s comment about
smoking since 14. He then
asked, ‘Do you still smoke?’
5. Some students
laughed at Rex’s
cheekiness and the
delivery of his response.
1. Did you
ever smoke
cigarettes?
4. Yes. I hate it ... But if I want
to smoke now, I go outside
this building and have a puff
so no one can see me!
2. Yes. I started
smoking when I was 14,
but I’ve regretted it
ever since. I’m now 93.

9. Bullying
1. I’ve always been the shortest boy
in my class and year. I look like this
(pointing to his stomach) and I’m
not fast at running. I get picked on a
lot at school. Were you teased at
school and if so, what did you do?
3. I wasn’t expecting
that answer! We’re
not allowed to do
that here!
2. (Rex) Well if someone
was mucking around with
me and causing me grief,
I’d take him outside the
school and punch him in
the nose!
4. (Harry and Helen)
Well then …. pay them
no attention and just
ignore them. Why
would anyone be nasty
to someone else?

10. Grade 6 Classroom and Video Conference Equipment Setup
Laptop with
internal camera
Speakerphones
(wireless) for students
Script &
Agenda
Two students
as ‘hosts’.
Technology best practices for intergenerational learning via video conferencing

11. Laptop elevated to
enable camera to view
students in classroom
Student to turn pages
in Script folder as
host students speak
New Words, Phrases, Vocalisations
and Non-Verbal Communication
written on Whiteboard and by students
Technology best practices for intergenerational learning via video conferencing

12. Technology best practices for intergenerational learning via video conferencing
1. New Words
2. New Phrases
3. Vocalisations
4. Non-verbal communication
5. Other data based on topic e.g.,
English: biographical
information, name of poets,
favourite poem
Science: space travel,
technology. Forms of transport
History: World Wars, Great
Depression, Careers, School
Maths: Currency, differences in cost of goods now and over past 90 years
Personal Development: Healthy foods and lifestyles, exercise, sports, school canteens, lollies!
Recreation: Reading, games (indoor / outdoor/ non-technology!), cooking, building ‘billy carts etc
Students record the data below into their folders (or tablets / other devices).

13. COVID-19 seating!
COVID-19
seating!
Students at
home during
COVID-19 in
IGL video call
Intergenerational learning via video conferencing during COVID-19

14. TV Room - Residential Aged Care Home
• Background noise was challenging
• Glare from sunshine through glass
doors reflecting on TV screen
• Camera performance due to sunshine
• Black linen was placed on tables to
reduce reflective glare to the camera
4G Modem
• Arrangement of seats and tables to
ensure all elders could view the TV
and were seen by the webcamera
• Lighting was adequate.
• A 4G wireless modem was used due
to poor Wi-Fi.
Technology best practices for intergenerational learning via video conferencing

15. Technology best practices for intergenerational via video conferencing
TV Room - Residential Aged Care Home
• Background noise was challenging!
- elevator doors opening and its
door chime sounding,
- ‘clanging’ noise of metal trolleys
with drinks and cutlery rattling
past
- staff, visitors and other elders
talking loudly as they walked past.
- Sound from water in hand basin!
- No enclosed rooms in this building
for VC
If we can achieve a good video call experience in this setting, we can achieve it anywhere!

16. Next Phase:
Involving elders living in their own home with Intergenerational
Learning Video Calls and Technology Solutions
Set Top Box Video Call device with API
for integration with Electronic Medical
Records + more
Set Top Box Video Call device with
smart camera and microphones + more
Australia

17. Outcomes
Elders
• Socialisation
• Purposeful mental stimulation
• Improved mood, sleep, appetite
• Reduces loneliness and negativity
• Laughter
Students
• Attentiveness
• Improved learning
• Empathy
• Improved behaviour / Calmness
• Historical / Societal context
Staff at Aged Care Home
• Happier Staff
• Enjoyment of interactions
• Positive socialisation with elders
Teachers / Parents
• New insights student personalities
• Engaged and calmer students
• New enjoyable dynamics

18. Curriculum
Guide

19. Questions?

20. Intergenerational learning using video conferencing
Professor Emeritus Anneke Fitzgerald
Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
Greg Cronan: Researcher / Program Director
Intergenerational Learning Australia
Contact Details:
Int’l :+61-433-387-209
Email: greg@intergenerational-learning.com.au
Web: www.intergenerational-learning.com.au
Office: +61 7 555 27043,
Mob: +61 410 609 832
Email: anneke.fitzgerald@griffith.edu.au

21. COVID-19 seating!
Technology best practices: Intergenerational via video conferencing during COVID-19

22. COVID-19 seating!
Teacher
and
Facilitator
Students at
home during
COVID-19 in
IGL video call
Elders at aged
care home
Technology best practices: Intergenerational via video conferencing during COVID-19

23. COVID-19 Video Calls with students and parents
Technology best practices: Intergenerational via video conferencing during COVID-19

24. New Words, New Phrases and information about discussion topic: “Biographies”

25. Technology best practices for intergenerational via video conferencing
Open plan learning environment

26. Technology best practices for intergenerational via video conferencing
Grade 3 Students – Seating arrangements for video call
Whiteboard
for
New Words
and Phrases
Whiteboard for
Vocalisations
and
Non-Verbal
Communication
Two students
as ‘hosts’
Laptop with external camera elevated to view ‘host ‘students and other students behind them

27. Technology best practices for intergenerational via video conferencing
Grade 3
Students
New Words
and Phrases
Vocalisations and
Non-Verbal Communication

28. Technology best practices for intergenerational via video conferencing
TV Room - Residential Aged Care Home