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1. Narrative
With the growing interest in community involvement
emanating from our long-range technology plan and the School Improvement
Plan, School District 70 proposes to further the cause for senior citizen
involvement in our school. Because seniors make up over one fourth
of Morton Grove’s population and they demonstrate a high interest in technology,
it seems a logical move to apply for Learn and Serve funding to begin computer
classes for the seniors.
Other District 70 activities involving the seniors have included: (1) the Student Council fundraising for the seniors’ annual Thanksgiving dinner which is offered to those seniors who have no place to go on the holiday and (2) Grandparents’ Day, a special school day in which some of the Morton Grove seniors participate. Both of these experiences have raised the public awareness, which is certainly a plus. Lastly, an all village newsletter is mailed to every District 70 household, which also serves to inform those who do not set foot in the school building as regularly as the parents.
Many of the seniors in Morton Grove own or have access to computers. Some have been gifted with computers from family members. The level of interest has been manifested in the steady, large attendance (100 person/session) at computer lectures at the local library. The participants are able to register for very limited individual tutoring at this facility. A computer-tutoring program was held at a local school, not in our district, two years ago. Registration was full and there was a waiting list for each session. The school chose to discontinue the program due to lack of funds. The seniors want to be able to communicate and enjoy the computer with their families, some of who are not living in Morton Grove or adjacent communities and want to benefit from the educational and informational resources available through the computer. The fact that many of the seniors and students live apart from their grandchildren and grandparents creates an atmosphere of isolation for the two generations. Ageism, which is prevalent in our society, can be diluted by more interaction between the youth and elders. Conversely, so can the antagonism of the elder for the youth be decreased. More intergenerational programs are needed so that there is greater understanding and appreciation of each age group for the other. Computers present an educational and enjoyable avenue for this goal.
The Student Council fundraising provided a liaison between Catherine Dean, Seniors Supervisor and Susan Cooper, Student Council Advisor/Technology Coordinator. Numerous conversations took place with the frequent question, “When are you going to offer computer classes for the seniors?” The pat answer was, “Let’s wait until the new computer lab is finished and then we can proceed.” The new lab was completed in October of 1997 so finally, the conditions were “Go” for this venture.
Morton Grove's seniors are typical in that
they hunger for "techknowledgy.: Requests for computer instruction have
been a constant topic of conversation.
As a result, a survey was sent out to the
seniors with a return rate of 61. No one claimed to be in the "expert"
range, while the remaining respondents fell into one of the following categories:
•37% stated they had
"never touched one."
•32% "have used one a
few times."
•31% stated, "I know
some, but want to learn more."
•.06% expressed no interest
in the classes at all.
Furthermore, the seniors have shown a great
interest in technology demonstrations held at the Morton Grove Public Library.
These involve one computer with a large screen projection device and a
maximum of 100 audience members. After the demonstration, sign ups for
hands-on computer time are available on a very limited basis.
The Learn and Serve Grant provides the perfect opportunity and outlines the following proposal. Park View School's eighth graders, in a joint venture with the Morton Grove Park District, will act as "Computer Tutors" for the village's senior citizens. As part of their nine-week computer class curriculum, they will be responsible for: (1) publicizing the classes (2) planning the course materials (3) teaching the seniors in after school sessions (4) creating a web page sharing the success of the venture. Busing will be provided to the seniors, whose classes will include: "Taming the Computer Beast," "The Computer as a Typewriter…and more," "Fun with the Computer," and "Mining the Internet."
The park district Senior Adult Supervisor will conduct registration for the senior participants, provide publicity in the senior newsletter and local papers and will distribute flyers to community organizations. The park district will provide the bus and driver. Prior to each session, the Senior Adult Supervisor will conduct a program to educate the students about possible physical and communication challenges they may encounter with the elders, e.g., hearing and vision impairment, manual dexterity problems. At the end of each of the four series of classes, both the seniors and eighth graders will be asked to fill out evaluation forms, which will then be reviewed by the district technology coordinator and the park district's senior adult supervisor.
Each student will be required to:
• possess a solid foundation in the area
of his instruction (i.e. the basics of the Internet, how to make an address
label, or the ins and outs of word processing.)
• know the steps to create a successful
and meaningful lesson (i.e. creating useful notes and following the proper
steps in teaching the technology.)
• reflect upon his experience by filling
out an evaluation and keeping a journal of his experiences.
• develop communication skills necessary
for a successful intergenerational exchange.
The three most important standards addressed by this project are all in the area of English/Language Arts. First, the students will be composing different styles of writing for a specific audience, more specifically, the senior citizens. In their desktop publishing class, they will design flyers advertising each of the four classes to be held throughout the school year. Next, they will be creating individual "lesson plans" to be followed by the student "computer tutors" as they instruct the seniors. During those sessions, the students will assist the seniors in crating greeting cards, letterhead stationery and other desktop publishing creations. Lastly, a written reflection from each student tutor will be a required part of the intergenerational experience, with time provided during computer class to complete the task.
Secondly, the students will utilize technology in order to produce multimedia works for specific audiences. Photos will be taken during the computer tutoring sessions and then inserted in various forms of multimedia. Both the School District 70 website and the Morton Grove Park District website will be enhanced by the addition of the newsworthy information of this intergenerational experience. In addition, the students will prepare a PowerPoint presentation outlining the success of the Computer Tutor program to be shared at a District 70 school board meeting, the spring open house and quite possibly, a park district board meeting.
Lastly, but certainly not the least important, is the standard that emphasizes communication strategies. While many of the students have fruitful relationships with grandparents of other senior family members, they may not have received techniques for communication and interactions with the senior citizen population. With the assistance of Catherine Dean, the park district senior adult supervisor, the students will hopefully gain the skills necessary for communicating with the seniors. During this valuable process, it is hoped the students will gain an understanding of aging, learn manners, respect and patience, and lastly, acquire positive role models who will, in turn, share their life experiences.
While this is only the first year, the principle
planners would like to see this project become an ongoing project, linking
the school and the community for the following reasons:
•It provides the community with an opportunity
to see their "tax dollars" at work.
•It is a logical extension of Park View's
annual Grandparents' Day.
•It contributes to the very necessary intergenerational
experience- an "eye opening" event for all involved.
•It lends itself to the notion that the
school's facilities, in this case, the computer lab, are open to all in
the community.
•It supports the "Community Involvement"
component of the district's technology plan.
As to the duration of grant dependence, it would be ideal for the school district to become self-sufficient by the end of a three-year trial period. The district would apply for the grant funds in smaller amounts each year. Year Two would require funds for busing and supervision, with the school district picking up the tab for supplies and the park district paying for refreshments. Year Three, the grant would only fund supervision, with the school district funding supplies and the park district paying for refreshments and busing expenses. After Year Three, the remaining expense (supervision) would be added into the school district budget.
The Learn and Serve Grant will enable us
to jump-start a program that we have dreamed about for many years. The
funds will provide an opportunity to plug this worthwhile experience into
the lives of teenagers who desperately need to gain a sense of history
from their elders and develop an understanding of the aging process. In
turn, the seniors will develop a youthful outlook and dispel some of the
stereotypes of the younger generation, while acquiring computer skills.
In addition, the Morton Grove community bonds will be strengthened by this
win-win proposition, thereby providing a healthy dose of good will for
both age groups.
2. Grant
Outline
I. Participant Demographics/ Narrative - Sue
II. Illinois Learning Standards (specifics and examples) - Gloria
III. Curriculum - Mike
IV. Budget/Timeline/Write-up - Marilyn
V. Web Connections/Research - Alicia
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