Course Description
“Life Lessons” is an engaging and thought-provoking course designed to help participants uncover and appreciate the wisdom, humor, and perspectives of seniors through interviews. By focusing on storytelling and open-ended questions, the course aims to foster intergenerational understanding, encourage meaningful conversations, and highlight the unique experiences that shape individuals over a lifetime.
Learning Objectives
Participants will:
- Learn techniques for conducting meaningful and respectful interviews with seniors.
- Understand how to ask open-ended, reflective questions to elicit valuable insights.
- Develop skills to create a safe space for sharing sensitive or deeply personal topics.
- Appreciate the value of senior perspectives in shaping collective wisdom.
Core Activity: The Interview Framework
Participants will explore a structured set of questions designed to spark reflection and storytelling. These questions touch on a variety of life themes, from joyous memories to lessons learned from challenges. The framework encourages interviewers to dig deeper into seniors’ lives while allowing for creative storytelling.
Sample Questions:
- First word that comes to mind about getting older?
- Break the ice by reflecting on perceptions of aging.
- One sentence that summarizes your life?
- Invite a concise reflection of their journey.
- One sentence that you want others to remember you by?
- Explore legacy and self-perception.
- Most important thing you ever did?
- Highlight pivotal moments of pride or achievement.
- One thing you wish you never did?
- Encourage honest self-reflection and personal growth.
- One thing you would have done differently?
- Delve into lessons learned from hindsight.
- Best day you ever had?
- Relive a cherished memory of pure joy.
- Worst day you ever had?
- Explore resilience and coping through difficult times.
- Proudest moment?
- Shine a light on moments of significant accomplishment.
- Biggest regret?
- Uncover lessons rooted in regret and growth.
- Funniest thing that ever happened?
- Share lighthearted and humorous moments.
- Most memorable game or toy?
- Revisit cherished childhood experiences.
- One thing you used to enjoy that you don’t do anymore?
- Reflect on changes in hobbies or passions over time.
- Something no one knows about you?
- Discover hidden stories or traits.
- What’s next on your bucket list?
- Inspire forward-thinking and aspiration.
- Afraid of dying?
- Discuss profound reflections on mortality and legacy.
Course Format
- Module 1: Introduction to Senior Storytelling
- Module 2: Building Rapport and Respectful Interviewing Techniques
- Module 3: Exploring Life Themes Through Targeted Questions
- Module 4: Recording and Preserving Stories
Outcome
By the end of this course, participants will be equipped to conduct meaningful interviews that celebrate the lives and experiences of seniors. These interviews can serve as personal keepsakes, community archives, or even as content for intergenerational projects.
“Life Lessons” is more than a course—it’s an invitation to connect deeply, learn from experience, and honor the invaluable wisdom of older generations.