Setting Up Our Group Work

Today we were put into our groups to complete presentations on our chosen question. We were put into teams of three and the question we are doing is 'How can you encourage an online audience in storytelling? - How do you encourage users, especially those from an older generation to participate?

We brainstormed a few ideas together on what we are going to do. We decided that we will go into a old persons home and ask them what they thought of the Internet and usage and hand them a small questionnaire to fill out which I will upload to my next post. This will give us an insight into what they think about the Internet and what we could do to help them become more active users.

Furthermore we said we could ask a employee of Apple what they think of older generation using the Internet and how they would encourage them to buy the technology. We would also ask what the company themselves do to simplify their phones and computers so that everyone can use them.

We also discussed the option of going into the BBC radio and asking if they would consider having a small section in one of their shows for older people to ring in and tell their stories. This would encourage them to take part and share parts of their history.

Another thing we could do is create a 'how to' video of very clear simple instructions on how to use the Internet and upload content and show it to groups of older people so that they don't feel as intimidated when it comes to using a computer or laptop.

We have split the research up and designated a section to each person in our group. We have decided that we should all compile research on technology usage, Niall should do an interview with an apple employee and write up his findings. Rory will teach an older person how to use Skype and document this through either filming, videos or pictures and I will compile a questionnaire and we will go to an old persons home, hand them out and gather the results for our end presentation. We will also together write up things that could be done in the future for older people and how this could have a knock on effect in older people homes.

During reading week we will be going into the old persons home and handing out the questionnaires and asking them what they think. I will upload the results to my next post.