A program has been developed with a twist:  eighth grade students would be trained as tutors for the seniors and the concept of the “Computer Tutor” program is due to be established.  The session in March will focus on “Mining the Internet” and May’s offering will be “Fun with the Computer,” which will utilize the Print Shop software.

As the grant coordinator, it is my mission to prepare the group of students tutors.  With the assistance of Catherine Dean, the Senior Adult Supervisor, our first task is to ready the students for working with an “elderlearner.”  Mrs. Dean will take a class period to educate the students about possible physical and communication challenges they may encounter while working with a senior, for example, hearing and vision impairment, and manual dexterity problems.  The students will take a hearing test that provides an opportunity to be a person with hearing loss and they don a pair of sunglasses that simulates color blindness.  There will also be a discussion about modifications that can be set on the computer:  slowing down the mouse, making the arrow larger, changing the display for easier reading, adjusting the volume, etc.  Lastly, communication skills need to bee addressed in the form of speaking clearly and slowly, speaking with appropriate volume and providing ample time for questions.

After the aspects of aging are addressed, next I need to indoctrinate the tutors in preparation of each of the three class sessions lesson plans.  They will be instructed in how to create a lesson plan, setting objectives and then mapping out the appropriate activities.  Once the lessons are completed and approved by me, the student tutors will participate in practice “run-throughs” with other students to check for accuracy, completeness and achievement of the stated objectives.

A check of the physical facilities is part of the planning as well.  Discussion should cover where the senior-tutor pairs will be seated, where coats will be hung, the dispersement of nametags, and whether it’s a wise idea to have the seniors sitting in tipsy chairs on wheels.  The set-up for the brief refreshment segment of the class will also need to be discussed.  The students will need to be reminded to let the seniors go first for the food and to not overdo the quantities!

For evaluation, the process is in three parts:  (1) the students will keep reflective journals during the 3 weeks of class; (2) the seniors will be asked to complete an evaluation at the end of the sessions and (3) I plan to conduct observations during the instruction by the tutors.