Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for GRN 176 archive revision 201604

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Effective Term:
Fall 2016 through Summer 2017

Course Number:
GRN 176
Course Title:
Cognitive Activity Design
Credit Hours:
2
Lecture Hours:
0
Lecture/Lab Hours:
40
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Explores the challenges of applying emerging, evidence-based research in memory and aging to address real-life cognitive challenges. Includes design and demonstration of innovative cognitive activities that are supported by recent brain science findings. Audit available.

Addendum to Course Description

The course is a Program Elective for the AAS Degree in Gerontology and the Gerontology Certificate. 

It is required for all three Activity Professional Certificates and the Advanced Behavioral and Cognitive Care Certificate

Intended Outcomes for the course

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

  • Analyze and interpret theories of cognitive aging and emerging brain science research.

  • Assess the needs and assets of older adults representing a wide range of physical and cognitive challenges and abilities.

  • Design, demonstrate, and assess cognitive activities that address the challenges and enhance the abilities of elders, while meeting standards of sustainability, inclusiveness, cost-effectiveness, replicability, and innovation.

Aspirational Goals

Cognitive activities will soar to new heights, transforming attitudes, practices and quality of later life development.

Course Activities and Design

An online and/or hybrid format with 10 modules, which includes three live/recorded IVC lectures with interactive discussion periods.  Students may elect to attend the live session or to view the recordings of the sessions that will be available to registered students. 

Course activities will include 

  • Discussion forums on the research and activity design
  • Dropbox Assignments, summarizing and interpreting the readings and research
  • Two site visits to pre-arranged elder communities, centers or organizations.
  • The capstone project designing, revising and demonstrating a cognitive activity blueprint 

Outcome Assessment Strategies

A variety of assessments will be used, including discussions and research assignments, with the primary assessment being the Capstone project, involving:

  • Designing the blueprint for one cognitive activity.  Sharing that first draft of the blueprint with a class group for input and revisions.
  • Revising the cognitive activity for demonstration before classmates and/or elders.
  • Final paper including (1) original blueprint, revisions, and final cognitive activity design, (2) supporting research citations, (3) one final design prepared for elder community/organization representatives including cost-benefits and sustainability sections, (4) a presentation of the cognitive activity to a group of older persons and (5) details of the outcome of demonstration to classmates and/or older persons including any modifications to the final design (No. 3 above).

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

Course content will include

  • Review and analysis of theories of cognitive aging,
  • Analysis and interpretation of emerging brain science research including creativity and the creative cycle,
  • Assessment of the limitations of traditional activity design,
  • Identification of best practices for targeted activity-delivered mental stimulation of elders, and design of cognitive activity that is innovative, inclusive, cost-effective, replicable and sustainable.