Proposal

Proposal for Research Project:

Over the course of the next 8-10 weeks I would like to document the process of teaching my 72 year old Grandpa how to use his computer. Concurrently I will be doing the same process with Emily my 7 year old sister, and will be asking both of them the same interview questions. I want to compare and contrast how a senior and small child interact with the technology of computers,I want to hear their thoughts and document their progress through filming, photography and drawings. For my final presentation I can create a multi-media video of the progress my grandfather and sister made that can be screened in class. I can also post short videos on my blog documenting their progress throughout the course of the semester.

My goal is to teach my grandfather and my sister how to create and add content to a blog. The blog it's self can be a part of the research project, where they can document their own process. I am also in the process of coming up with interview questions to ask before I start actually doing hands on computer stuff with them, so that I can capture their feelings before and after the study is finished. Some of the questions I was thinking of starting out with are:

1) How do you feel about computers?
2) What is your favorite thing about your home computer?
3) What is your least favorite thing about your computer?
4) How do you think computers have changed the world?
5) Do you remember a time before computers?
6)Can you draw a picture that embodies how you feel about computers? ( Have them draw picture)
7)Could you live with out your computer?
8) Are you scared on the computer?
9) How old were you when you first used a computer?
10) If their was one thing about the computer that you could change, what would it be?

With my Grandpa George I would have to start out with teaching him the basics, he can barely turn the computer on. It would be a great triumph to get him to be able to blog and use the internet. I have been doing some research about ways seniors can use the internet, the resources that are out there for seniors on the internet. After a week or two I hope to be able to give him homework assignments on the internet, such as searching for an item and documenting his progress on his blog. This would be ideal, but I will have to tailor it to his progress and take it one step at a time.

With my little sister who is already very familiar with computers I will try to challenge her by teaching her how to make and up keep her own blog. I want her to work on a story of sorts, or post blogs about things that interest her. My goal will be to teach her how to download images and upload them to her own photo bucket account where she can upload them to her blog. I will also teach her how to scan her pictures into the computer and upload them onto her blog. I will also try to have online interaction between Emily and our Grandpa George. One of their weekly assignments can be to comment on each other's blogs.