Welcome to resources related to the InterGenerational Technology Engagement Checklist for Higher Education (IG TECH).
The InterGenerational Technology Engagement Checklist for Higher Education (IG TECH) was designed to help create a program for students in higher education and older adult learners to work together towards digital inclusion across all generations. Created by Dr. Skye Leedahl of the University of Rhode Island and Dr. Jill Juris of Appalachian State University, the IG TECH is based on years of experience in implementing and evaluating intergenerational technology programs as well as research-based evidence on best practices for intergenerational programming (Generations United, 2021; Henkin, 2021; Jarrott et al., 2019; Leedahl et al., 2019) and a strong belief in service learning and the value of intergenerational interaction. The IG TECH was designed to be flexible and adaptable to allow programs to operate based on their specific resources and circumstances. This project was funded by RRF Grant #2022025.
The IG TECH is designed for a higher education representative (who will support student participants) and a community partner (who will recruit and support older adult learners) to work together towards program implementation. The IG TECH has 6 sections with 4-12 items per section that offer important considerations for programs. The IG TECH is organized chronologically from preparation to evaluation. Safety and security issues have been integrated throughout. Each program must take into account the specific characteristics and cultural background of its local community (e.g., language, race, ethnicity, geography) in order to develop the most suitable program. Programs should start small and build over time based on lessons learned and available resources.