Intergenerational learning for active aging amid the pandemic: Chinese immigrant seniors’ online learning in Canada

Authors: Yidan Zhu and Weiguo Zhang
Royal Road University and University of Toronto, Canada

Edition: Volume 65, Number 1, April 2025

Introduction: This study aimed to understand the relationship between intergenerational learning (as a type of active learning) and active aging in an online intergenerational learning program as an effective way to foster online intergenerational learning for senior immigrants. It examined how senior Chinese immigrants learned intergenerationally in a project initiated by the Chinese Senior Association for Chinese immigrants in Canada during the pandemic. Intergenerational learning is argued to be an effective pathway for active aging (WHO, 2002) to enhance senior immigrants’ civic engagement, social security, health, and well-being. Using active aging as an analytical framework, interview data from 15 senior Chinese immigrants and two project organisers were examined. The results showed that online intergenerational learning, as a practice of active learning, promoted (a) knowledge sharing, (b) social and cultural communication, and (c) health and well-being.

Keywords: aging, adult education, intergenerational learning, senior Chinese immigrants, online learning, COVID-19

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This article is part of AJAL, Volume 65:1. The entire volume is available in .pdf for purchase here.