Psychological and pedagogical aspects of interaction between students and retro-students in the educational process at the Institute of the third age

¹ Belarusian state University, Minsk, Belarus
² Smolensk state University, Smolensk, Russia
³ Sechenov First Moscow state medical University, Moscow, Russia

^* Anatoly P. Smantser, e-mail: a.smantser@mail.ru

Abstract

The article deals with the features of intergenerational interaction of students of different ages within a single educational environment and an ambiguous attitude to the social and psychological experience of generations. Empirical research has shown that within the framework of a gerontological unit all age groups of students have an opportunity to receive a qualitatively new social experience on a permanent basis in professional, cultural, leisure and volunteer fields. It should be noted that the younger generation has a positive attitude to retro students; they want to and can become retro students’ mentors, helping the elderly to master modern competencies. Retro students, despite the difficulties of interpersonal relations, are ready as mentors to share their knowledge, social and life experiences with young people. The results presented in the article have shown that the most promising forms of cooperation between students and retro-students are master classes in various areas, and creation of gerontological faculties at universities is the strategic direction of gerontology education.