Educators often think of effective educational products as those that have the most bells and whistles to hold their learners’ interest. This POGOe product from the Stein Gerontological Institute proves the opposite, yet it is among the most effective products in the POGOe repository.

It is simple yet engaging, straightforward yet effective. Following the basic tenets of adult learning theory – that it is experiential and active; provides a safe climate to learn; and allows learners to receive immediate feedback – this activity involves an interactive and cooperative card-sorting exercise that provides an opportunity for participants in a small group to test their knowledge of depression, dementia and delirium (3D’s).

The 3D’s are a group of diagnoses that have elements of their presentation, diagnosis, and/or treatment which can be closely related or controversial, making them perfect for this exercise. In this small group activity, each learner is given a set of cards with symptoms, diagnostic tools, or other terms related to one of the 3D’s, and asked to place the cards in one of the syndrome categories. Just for fun, a “?” or “not sure” category is also added. As a group, learners discuss the rationale for their selections.

Discussion is the core of the educational process for this activity, promoting peer teaching and self-directed learning. This POGOe product provides the educator with a detailed faculty guide, card templates, evaluation forms, and in-house evaluation results, as well as with a list of references.