Psychology of Aging

Final grades have been turned in...

2008-04-30T05:44:00.000-07:00

I think it was a great semester considering we were transitioning to a hybrid format. I'm really proud of the work everyone put into the content each and every week. If you have the ability to do this in all your classes you will be just as successful as you were in this one.

I also think that everyone benefited from the collaborative work (at least in the grade I awarded everyone). I have been doing some reflection and plan on changing some of my collaboration rules in the future (actually giving you more structure and guidance, even though I think you all have the creative intellect to do a better job than I can image).

If you would like to talk about getting a gerontology certificate or even a minor come and talk to me (or Nancy Stahl in the nursing department).

The grades break down into the following categories (remember I gave everyone 90% on the collaboration, even if you didn't deserve it and I gave everyone credit for service learning so that adds up to a boatload of free points :
15 As
13 Bs
4 Cs

This is very unusual for one of my classes so don't spread the word... it probably won't happen again anytime soon. I felt it was important to stick to what I put in my syllabus and I think many of you benefited by a letter grade.

Later, prof_chuck

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Aging Final Online, Saturday from 1 until 3 pm

2008-04-26T09:37:00.001-07:00

I'll open it up in a few minutes... you'll have 2 hours. plenty of time to learn.

Aging is a go

2008-04-22T05:07:00.001-07:00

Gero Scholars,

We will have our collaborative exam today in Dunlap 104.

Your final exam will be online. It will only be available during our scheduled final exam period (Don't blame me for the Saturday time... all that is decided by VPs in Academic Affairs.) Feel free to come into the lab and o your thing.

Everyone will get good and plenty of credit for their collaborative work, although I am disappointed. I wanted to give everyone the freedom to do something better than I could come up with. Next time I will give very explicit directions... :-(

Aging Mid-Term #2

2008-04-16T07:46:00.001-07:00

Psychology of Aging Scholars,

I have created and uploaded your exam over the material we have covered since our last exam (chapters 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, & 13).

It is now hidden when you log into WebCT/VISTA, but at 2:20 tomorrow you will see it. It will be 60 questions, about 10 from each chapter. Be sure to be prepared for our collaborative exam in class together on Tuesday, the 22nd of April. The exam ends when our class ends, so start on time and be prepared.

Remember to use your exams and quizzes to help you prepare, especially for our final.

Chili Cookoff for Cancer -- Relay 4 life

2008-04-09T03:57:00.001-07:00

I totally need to leave town tomorrow for a conference and I'm making chili for the annual cookoff.

Can anyone help cure cancer by serving my chili up. Of course, there's always a pirate theme and you'll get to talk smack about the chili Dr. Lloyd an Dr. Smith serve up.

I'll have everything ready for you... just look pretty and lick your fingers and go "yummy" put your vote in the skull.

aging quizzes to finish the semester

2008-03-23T16:14:00.000-07:00

Scholars,

I have placed our remaining 3 quizzes on our WebCT/VISTA site. As usual, they end on Thursday during our class time. I have gone ahead and made all three available in case anyone wants to work ahead. The end of the semester is always crazy, so it might be a good time to plan ahead and take care of business.

planning to finish the semester...

2008-03-20T06:57:00.000-07:00

Hi Scholars,

One adjustment needs to be made in our calendar because I will be attending the cognitive aging conference in Atlanta on April 10th.

We are supposed to cover death and dying the last week of class and we will by deviating from our normal routine. Let's meet for lecture on Tuesday the 8th.... then we will proceed as close to normal as possible by taking time to read and take our online quizzes by Thursday.

I'll go over this on Thursday, but wanted to give everyone a heads up. The online outline should reflect this change.

In addition, I plan on setting up and sharing the rest of our collaborative learning materials today so be on the lookout for a shared google doc email.

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2008-03-13T11:43:00.000-07:00

AGING CLASS TROUBLES FOR INTELLIGENCE THURSDAY

2008-03-13T07:18:00.001-07:00

Scholars,

I think I accidentally got sick... I'm coughing a lot and starting to lose my voice. I don't think I can make it through our class lecture today. I will make it up to you by doing precise and targeted lectures over both topic areas after spring break... Be safe and stay out of trouble ;-)

Aging quiz is up

2008-03-11T07:05:00.000-07:00

So the cahpter 8 quiz is up on WebCT/VISTA... see everyone on Thursday.

See teh collaborator group later today.

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memory slides on the podcast channel

2008-03-06T08:04:00.000-08:00

on the off chance you are interested ...

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This week is MEMORY!

2008-03-03T06:04:00.000-08:00

Hey Aging Scholars,

This week we are on my favorite topic of memory. That's chapter 7 in our text. I'm uploading the quiz as we speak (yes... I am a day ahead of schedule).

I'll be meeting with the three collaborators on Tuesday, then the rest of you on Thursday.

I'd also like to invite you all to a research colloquium this afternoon. Dr. Kevin Vagi will be presenting his research in the area of child development. We will get together at 1:30 pm in Dunlap 320. I hope to see some of you there.

Aging quiz 4 ch 6 is up

2008-02-27T06:07:00.000-08:00

...remember to use all three opportunities if you want to learn the most and be as prepared as possible for the next test.

I put the collaborative grades in the grade book. Can everyone see those?

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aging quiz

2008-02-26T14:19:00.000-08:00

Holy Cow! I've been up and here at the office all day, but kept forgetting to put the quiz up. It will be up by mid-morning on Wednesday, plenty of time for you to getter done before class on Thursday.

I even met with this weeks collaboration group.... I guess I was distracted by my new ipod.

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Next up: Chapter 6, Attention and Perception

2008-02-25T03:50:00.001-08:00

Aging Scholars,

We are gonna skip Ch5 for now because of the snow day and getting behind. This will get us back on our course outline.

We are set for Attention and Perception this week. I will meet our 3 collaborators on Tuesday. Did you guys actually use the resources to study or to help you find test answers? I'll be sharing grades on the collaborative by Thursday and giving the scantrons back so everyone can prepare for the final.

I will have the quiz up by tomorrow for chapter 6.

We should be good to go...

2008-02-19T10:11:00.000-08:00

The exam should become visible at 2:20... Assuming you guys log in a little early, you might need to refresh your screen at 2:20 to see the link from the homepage.

I will be in my office and online to make sure things get started well.

Good luck and try to learn as you go through this process.

Aging Mid-term #1

2008-02-18T07:57:00.000-08:00

We will have our first aging mid-term on Tuesday from 2:20 until 3:45 during our regular class time. It will be online just like our quizzes.

In order to create some system that will eliminate the pressure to break the honor code of our fine University... I am suggesting the following learning friendly environment.

I am going to say that this is an open book, open note exam; however, you are not to work with other students. You are to take this exam as an individual. I will choose enough questions that you must be familiar with the material to be successful. This means you should take the exam, then go back and learn the answers to the questions you are in doubt about... The GOAL is to learn the material... this is another preparation for the final.

We will have our collaborative exam on Thursday as we continue to learn... repetition is a good thing, your hippocampus will thank you.

The exam will be timed, that will aid me in keeping you guys on track. You need to start on time. When class is over (3:45) the exam will end. If you have not submitted it, you will get a zero.

To aid your studying about tough concept be sure to checkout the collaboratively generated chapter contents from your classmates... links are on the upper right-hand corner of the blog.

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what r u doin' this summer?

2008-02-17T17:34:00.000-08:00

FYI... if you are serious about graduate school come and talk to me about this.

Undergraduate Statistics Program Now Taking Applications!

APA’s Advanced Statistical Training in Psychology program is now open for applications! This exceptional opportunity is designed for students who will be undergraduate seniors in the 2008-2009 academic year. It is an ideal way to learn more about statistics at a time when many students are thinking about graduate school. Successful applicants are those who have firm plans to pursue a graduate degree in psychological science.

Up to 20 students will be selected to participate in this intensive, 9-day, hands-on seminar. Featured activities include lectures, SPSS activities, hands-on activities, discussions about graduate school, as well as plenty of fun!

The ASTP targets students who are from traditionally underrepresented groups in psychology. For purposes of this program, the definition of underrepresented groups is intentionally broad, including students who are members of ethnic minority groups, first generation college students, and students who have had to overcome other kinds of social, physical, or economic barriers on the road to academic excellence.

ASTP will take place at the University of Maryland, College Park, July 12 – 20. Housing, meals, instruction, labs, and some social events are covered for all students. Participants will pay a $200 registration fee and provide for their own travel. Financial need should not be a barrier to anyone’s participation. For those with financial need, scholarship support is available for travel as well as for the registration fee.

The deadline for applications is Monday, March 17. Visit www.apa.org/science/astp.html for more information about the program and the application requirements.

Assessment Stuff (chapter 4)

2008-02-14T10:32:00.000-08:00

I just put some slides and a couple of handouts into the podcasting channel.

In addition, you guys might be interested in checking out the following APA websites (perhaps our collaborative media development folks will put these into our shared document):

here is the general public interest website on aging assessment, it was a collaboration that included lots of lawyers (we should talk about that).

If you dig into the site you will find some interesting content, like this article on, What practitioners should know about working with older adults.

Event tomorrow to support Alzheimer's Research!

2008-02-12T07:05:00.001-08:00

Here's a note from the Dean of Students:

Whose cuisine will reign supreme?

Sigma Kappa Sorority invites you to attend Iron Chef Sigma Kappa on Wednesday, February 13th from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM in the Adams Great Room of Hoag Student Center.

Organizations,students, faculty and staff are invited to enter this cooking competition using the “secret ingredient” (cream cheese) for a $5 entry fee. Or you can just come and try all the tasty dishes for only $2! It’s only 25 cents to vote for your favorite chef. Prizes will be awarded for Best Overall Dish, Taste, Presentation, and Originality.

The proceeds from this event will benefit Alzheimer’s Disease Research. Please come join in the fun and benefit a worthy cause at the same time.

If you have questions about entering the competition, please feel free to contact

Bunny Zint by email at bloren9381@ngcsu.edu

Laura D. Whitaker-Lea
Dean of Students
North Georgia College and State University
706-864-1900
lwhitaker-lea@ngcsu.edu

aging quiz

2008-02-12T05:35:00.001-08:00

I'm still at home... I'll put the quiz up when I get to the university.

Don't forget (if this is your collaboration week, to come to my office at 2:20

Chapter 3 media is rolling

2008-02-05T07:26:00.000-08:00

I'll be meeting with the chapter 3 developers today... remember that the groups are listed on our course schedule/outline and you can find that from my homepage or by clicking here for a direct link.

Don't forget to read chapter 3 and take the quiz a few times, I know it takes some time and work, but that is how you learn ;-)

Please inform me if VISTA decides to act up again and change our quiz parameters.

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quiz for chapter 3

2008-02-04T11:05:00.001-08:00

I think I got quiz 3 up... let me know if you guys have any problems.

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Psychology conference for students

2008-02-04T06:01:00.001-08:00

FYI... just passing the info along...

The University of Georgia Chapter of Psi Chi

invites you to the

31st Annual Convention of the Behavioral Sciences

Psi Chi will be accepting poster and paper presentation abstracts for research in all behavioral science subfields at both the graduate and undergraduate level. We encourage everyone to submit his or her research regardless of its stage of completion.

1. General Information

• Date and Time: Tuesday, March 4, 2008 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

• Location and Directions: The convention will take place in the Student Learning Center (http://www.slc.uga.edu/floorplans/campus.gif). For directions, please see http://www.slc.uga.edu/directions/index.html.

• Parking: Pay parking is available at the Tate Center parking lot (enter off Lumpkin Street) and in the Hull Street pay parking deck. There is also limited free parking available on Baxter and surrounding streets. (http://www.slc.uga.edu/directions/parking.html)

• Contact: If you have any questions, please email us at: psichi@uga.edu
For more information, please visit http://www.uga.edu/psichi/

2. Call for Papers and Posters

If you would like to present a paper or a poster, please fill out the attached form and submit your abstract by e-mail to psichi@uga.edu.

All submissions should be received by February 18th, 2008.

For abstract guidelines and sample abstracts, please go to http://www.uga.edu/psichi/convention/guidelines.html

If you have any problem with submitting the abstract, please email psichi@uga.edu for assistance.
Abstract acceptance will be announced no later than February 19th, 2008.

3. Registration

• If pre-registering, the fee for all students (undergraduate, graduate and post-docs) is $8.

• For faculty, the registration fee is $10.

• If registering at the door, please note that it will be $10 for everyone.
• The registration fee includes breakfast, lunch, coffee service and a paper copy of the conference program.

• If you are from the University of Georgia, you may pay the registration fee early by filling out our registration form (available in the main office of the Psychology department). Place it with a check (no cash) made payable to Psi Chi in the drop slot on the door of room 215.

• All receipts and nametags will be available at the conference.

• Conference presenters/attendees from other universities will need to pay upon arrival.

4. Keynote Speaker

Dr. Gary J. Bennett of McGill University, Montreal, Canada will be the guest speaker. He holds a prestigious Canada Senior Research Chair at McGill University (Department of Anesthesia and Faculty of Dentistry). He earned his bachelor's degree (Psychology) from Rutgers University and his Ph.D. (Experimental Psychology) from the Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University. For the past 25 years, his research has focused on understanding the mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal pain sensations, particularly pain due to nerve injury (neuropathic pain) and the pharmacological basis of pain control. Dr. Bennett's multidisciplinary research program spans basic research studies that use animal models of painful peripheral neuropathies and clinical studies that involve patients with various neuropathic pain conditions. The program involves diverse methodologies — analyses of animal behavior, electrophysiology, neuroanatomy, neuro-imaging (fMRI), behavioral pharmacology, neuro-immunology, and clinical research that is performed in conjunction with the MUHC Pain Centre. Dr. Bennett was made Chief of the Neuropathic Pain and Pain Measurement Section of the Neurobiology and Anesthesiology Branch (NAB) of the National Institute of Dental Research at the National Institutes of Health in 1991. In 1996, he became Professor in the Department of Neurology at MCP Hahnemann University prior to joining the faculty at McGill University in 2001. Dr. Bennett has received numerous accolades for his research over the years including the American Pain Society's Frederick W.L. Kerr Basic Science Research Award and the American Academy of Pain Medicine's Founder's Award.

5. Brain Awareness Symposium

This year’s convention includes a Brain Awareness Symposium sponsored by the Neuroscience Student Association, which features research related to the study of the brain. There will be various neuroscience awards presented to best papers and posters in the symposium. Submissions must pertain to neuroscience research, broadly defined.

6. Awards

During the awards ceremony, Psi Chi will be awarding certificates and $350 worth of cash prizes to the best paper and poster presentations. The awards will be given to the first author of the work.

Improvements in Collaborative Media Development

2008-01-31T10:42:00.000-08:00

I'd love to get some feedback from you guys on ways to improve what the first groups have created... especially in formatting and usability.

Feel free to comment

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Quiz and slides for chapter 2, Physical changes

2008-01-31T07:59:00.001-08:00

As many of you know, VISTA has a mind of its own... somehow the quiz got turned off in the morning, although I double checked the p.m. portion of the setting several times... it is know available again.

In addition, I am about to upload todays slides to the podcasting channel... you should see them within the next 30 minutes.

Chapter 2 quiz un-hidden

2008-01-30T05:23:00.000-08:00

The chapter 2 quiz can now be seen on the homepage ( I had failed to make it visible).

Again, you have three opportunities and 15 minutes to take it each time.

See you on Thursday.

Does anyone use twitter... follow me and I'll do the same

2008-01-28T16:09:00.001-08:00

http://twitter.com/prof_chuck

Technorati Tags: twitter, follow me,

Chapter 2 Collaboration Group

2008-01-28T10:27:00.000-08:00

Hey you three... I set up your shared document. You should get an email that will allow you to get into it. In addition, I went ahead and published the document and placed a link here on our blog, right next to chapter one... look to your upper-right nav column.

Everyone else should feel free to look at chapter 1 and give us feedback about what we like and what we don't like. How do we make it better? What confused you?

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Aging quiz for chapter 2

2008-01-28T07:45:00.001-08:00

It is my belief that I set-up your chapter 2 quiz... you should see it at 8 a.m. on Tuesday the 29th... it will be available to take up to 3 times before class on Thursday.

I should record your highest score and I've given you 15 minutes for 10 questions this time... you still need to be prepared. Use this as a learning tool.

update for aging on Tuesday, the 29th

2008-01-28T06:57:00.001-08:00

We continue to move forward… thanks for your patients as we recover from the missed snow day.

I am going to UGA tomorrow with Dr. Noble’s Neuro-Scholars and think
that I agreed to meet this chapters collaboration group around 11 in my
office (I leave town at noon).

I plan on creating the quiz for chapter 2 this morning and uploading
it to VISTA… You should see it on Tuesday as available… this week I
want everyone to have completed it by class-time on Thursday. That
means you should spend quality time with your text on Tuesday (or even
before).

Aging Podcast Channel

2008-01-24T07:05:00.000-08:00

Get your slides and stuff here by clicking on this link if you have iTunes installed on your computer (it's a free download so now might be a good time to install it).

You can also subscribe manually using an aggregater of your choice with the following URL:

http://podcasting.gcsu.edu/4dcgi/podcasting/ngcsu/channels14986/24989.xml

I'll go over this in class today if it confuses you ;-)

New blog for aging class

2008-01-23T18:16:00.000-08:00

Edublogs has really started to get slow and my aging blog disappeared right when I needed it... I guess one shouldn't complain about a free service... but I am.

I am going to try blogger for a while... I've used a little feed to javascript to put it into our WebCT/VISTA page for the class... I'll be sharing our info here now and you should also see it in VISTA .

See everyone tomorrow in class.

2008-01-23T17:39:00.000-08:00

Psychology of Aging Module 1: Introduction to Aging

Videos

Dove Pro Age Commercial - This is a link to a YouTube video that challenges the perception of what is beautiful in the aging society. It is something that has gained popularity in challenging the norm. Dove has created a whole campaign for this stereotype changing cause which began about a year ago.

Meet Me at the Top - This is a YouTube video about the oldest person in North America to make the Seven Summits. Werner Berger summited Mount Everest at 68 last May. What stereotypes that we discussed in class does this case study dismiss?

This Coke commercial is funny, and it deals with breaking the "old people" stereotypes. This falls into ageism, where we as young adults would never imagine older adults doing any of these things! This guy is crazy!

Watch Me

This is a Cingular commercial where a elderly woman is getting yelled at by her daughter for too much text messaging to her bff, Rose. This also breaks out of typical stereotypes for older people in our society. It is funny because you would never expect the grandma to be using text messaging, it is out of our "norms" for older people.

Text Messaging

Interactive Material

Real Age Quiz - This is an online quiz to determine your "real age". While its reliability is probably questionable, it is fairly long. While taking it, think about how the subject matter actually does affect an individual's longevity. If one lives a healthy enough lifestyle, will they reach the magical 120 years?

Test Your Aging Knowledge - This site offers helpful quizzes that test your knowledge of aging. It might be helpful in putting to rest the stereotypes of aging.

This online quiz is a pretty in-depth measure to find your real age. It is fun and interesting to see how old you really are with the quality and lifestyle that you choose. The quiz firsts asks your chronological age, and then will either add or subtract years onto that age depending on different factors such as health, lifestyle, etc.

Find your REAL age!

Additional Websites

Centenarians in 1990 - From the report issued in 1999: 80% were women, and 78% were white. 1 in 4 of the men were married, while only 1 in 25 of the women were married. 1 in 4 of the men, and 1 in 5 of the women lived in poverty. Approximately 1 in 5 reported no self-care or mobility limitations. This report has a lot of charts that display relevant information without reading the whole report.

The Graying of America - A short website with a link to a video about the elderly that remain politically active. The website says that citizens aged 65-70 have the highest voting rate in the country, and that those over 75 are next.

Cultural Differences in Respect for the Elderly - This is an article from the Wall Street Journal that discusses the cultural differences in respect for the elderly. It makes you cherish the knowledge and wisdom that comes with age.

This article is from the National Institute of Aging (NIA) that talks about memory loss that happens when people get older. It talks about cognitive training that will help older adults maintain skills that will help them live a longer, better quality of life without needing as much assistance.

This would relate to the topics in our book about older people losing some cognitive ability with primary or secondary aging, and how activities to stimulate their brains would be useful.

Article on memory loss

The U.S. National Institute of Health has the National Institute of Aging website (NIA) that provides extensive information for our ever-growing

older population. This website provides information about health including tips on: care giving, healthy aging, medications, diets, and diseases. You can also obtain information on clinical research using human participants, and there are links to other helpful websites and Health and Aging Organizations that might provide information or support for whatever they need.

National Institute of Aging Website

Dr. Linda Woolf of Webster University has done extensive research on Gerontology. This section of the website discusses the topic of Ageism.

Although ageism is pretty evident from the reading, this website goes in depth to explain how older adults are viewed negatively and biasedly through common stereotypes. There is also a really good section on ageism not being universal, and how in some cultures, the elderly gain the highest respect from others in their culture.

Information on Ageism

This is an article on Genetics, Behavior, and Aging. This article is very interesting and discusses research done on twins to further understand the influence of not only genetic make-up, but also environmental factors. This ties in with the nature-vs.-nurture controversy in development. They also stress the influence that social influences and personal experiences has on a person's development. They also go on to further explain the topic of dementia and how there not a lot of information on what causes it. They did say that although women tend to live longer, they are at a higher risk for dementia (which sucks for all us ladies).

Genetics, Behavior, and Aging

This website is the US Census Bureau website and it discusses the projections of the elderly population in the coming years. This further supports what we have already discussed in class about the "Baby Boomers" generation increasing the elderly population. It states in the website that the population of adults that are 65 and older will grow from 34.6 million in 1999, to 82.0 million in 2050, which most of us will just be about to fall into that category.

US Census Bureau

Aging News Feeds

Issues Facing the Elderly -This is a news feed that discusses a study done in the UK. The study focuses on brain change issues that face healthy aging adults. The study shows that the elderly population is more prone to fraud due to changes in their decision making process. This is an example that ties in to what we have learned about functional aging in seniors.

My RSS Feed on Ageism in the US -This is a news that focuses on articles and websites about Ageism in the US.

Media

This is a comedic example of how society views getting older. Think of all the horrible birthday cards that you see when you go to buy your parents a card...none of them are nice about getting older. Even though your mom laughs at the cheesy card, you know she really wants to kill you for buying it. We dread getting older, and do not put any value on the elderly of our society. This is also an example of the biological changes that occur in the elderly.

This is a "pig and python" chart that describes the "Baby Boomer" demographic shift in population.