This DVD discussion guide will:

• encourage long-term commitment to behavior change instead of short-term information retention.
• encourage facilitator participation as both guide and co-learner.
• encourage integration of prior knowledge, learning styles, strengths, and needs of participants.
• cultivate critical thought and leadership skills to deal with controversial topics.
• serve as a companion to the “Older and Wiser: Many Faces of HIV” DVD produced by ACRIA, assisting anyone responsible for facilitating, developing, and implementing discussion groups or trainings targeting adults 50 and older.
• present factual information where needed, along with talking points that can be relevant and helpful in promoting a focused and respectful exchange.

Suggested discussion format

It is best to show the DVD at least a week prior group discussion if possible. Encourage participants to take notes and bring them to the discussion. at least 45 minutes for the discussion. It may be help­ful to take notes on the best ideas raised for follow-meetings or action steps.

We encourage facilitators to be creative in adapting materials to fit each discussion, audience, and avail­able time. But it may be helpful to simply follow guide’s sequence.

This guide can be used in a variety of formats to a dynamic interaction, rather than a one-way transfer of information to passive learners. Participants may follow the outlined sequence guide.

Participants could be divided into small discussion groups and each assigned one portion of the After 5 to 10 minutes, each group can report the entire group, and the facilitator can encourage questions and comments from other participants.

It’s worthwhile to include sound principles of learning. For example, adults have accumulated foundation of life experiences and knowledge may include work-related activities, family responsi­bilities, and previous education. They need to new learning to this knowledge/experience base. help them do so, draw out the experience and knowl­edge they have that is relevant to this topic.