Students are encouraged to explore their own responses and to observe how the video lessons affect their attitudes towards aging. Given the persistent stereotypes that accompany aging in contemporary society, Growing Old producers were not surprised when some observed that the telecourse too heavily portrayed positive images of aging. But most reviewers saw the reverse and pointed out that elders in the telecourse represented the norm that television too rarely portrays. A number of institutional users noted the versatility of the series. This series offers a training tool for community agencies serving older people and meets many educational needs.
Evaluations are under way to study the effectiveness of the videos via multiple modes of delivery.
In a national survey, telecourse users are rating the telecourse materials on a scale of 1 to 5, poor to excellent. Comments and suggestions provided by instructors in the returned questionnaires led to revisions or updates in the telecourse text and accompanying faculty and study guides. The new edition more closely connects with the telecourse videos. Selected topics highlighted in the series have been expanded in the text. The new study guide will include self-study questions that are keyed to revised exam questions contained in the new faculty guide.