No abstract

Videoconferencing via PCs and the Internet may provide a powerful medium through which seniors can interact with and develop relationships with youth. The PACE 2000 International Foundation has developed accessible, reliable and easy-to-use solutions that bring both senior and youth communities together for their mutual benefit. In this study, 18 older adults aged 70±7 years, provided second-language coaching to 18 young people (nine students and nine unemployed youth), via the videoconference based Intergenerational Telementoring Station® accessible to people having restrictions. Evaluation was based on the systems server logs capturing user log-in and log-out data, as well as entry and final questionnaire data from participants and supporting staff. The results of these two pilot studies indicate that videoconference based telementorship programs may successfully expand their recruitment beyond the conventional student-mentee and adult-mentors' populations. Older adults, including people with restrictions, exhibited higher motivation and compliance rates compared to unemployed youth. All participants (youth and seniors) highly valued the program (average rating over 80%), particularly its inter-cultural aspects as well as the relationships they developed. Eighty-six percent of youth reported that they benefitted from the second language immersion experience via videoconference. Positive behavioral shifts were observed after only 2 to 4 sessions, and these can provide a starting point for further research. We conclude that customized videoconference based telementoring provides a positive and motivational experience, which exceeds the scope of typical conventional mentoring programs (i.e. target populations enrollment, interaction types, geographic independence, etc).