Paradigms in the gerontology classroom: connections and challenges to learning

The article explores paradigms for approaching course content to be studied in the classroom. These paradigms, or global views about what is of interest or importance and ways of knowing, relate to key questions in gerontology, such as what is the relevant domain/content to be studied, what is the central level of analysis or action, what are appropriate ways to gain knowledge, and how do we best address the challenges related to aging? For interdisciplinary gerontology programs, the discussion of paradigms raises the question of whether learning effectiveness and student satisfaction may suffer when the students are unaware of their own budding gerontological paradigms or when an instructor's paradigm remains unarticulated or differs from those of students. This article discusses selected paradigms inherent within gerontology education/training programs and their diverse foci, two emerging paradigms of gerontology, and potential steps to clarify these paradigms in the classroom.