By Mike Martin
From the very beginnings of this project, I have been apprehensive. Though assured that the project could be of almost any media, there was a noticeable pressure towards documentary/interview reliant projects. And so, I caved to pressure and attempted a documentary. However, sometimes an idea isn’t popular enough to gain support, and rather than go it alone, I disbanded my earlier concepts and hitched up with another group midway through the term. The new projects goal of “Bridging the Gap” between seniors and the younger generations through technology seemed a worthwhile endeavor, and with 5 persons on board, I hoped for the best.
To summarize my efforts on this project, I worked primarily researching information, locating relevant news artivles online, creating a graphic for the project logo, filming an interview session with professor Loges and Dorbolo, scripting interview questions for the group leader (which were not used), and contributing ideas and concepts during group meetings. Additionally, I stated on numerous occasions that I could do just about anything, and would be happy to help with anything that the group needed done.
However, the focus itself was somewhat vague. At first, we wanted to try to actually bridge the gap ourselves, reconnecting seniors with family through computer technology like Skype and email. As progress in the group was heavily stunted from other classes, work, and the like, a late start on interviews and job assignment left me feeling nervous and unstructured, which lead towards my near withdrawal from the class. However, once clear objectives and jobs were established (at my request), I continued onward, though felt limited in my assigned task of generating a graphic and assisting with interviews.
Unfortunately, my offer to help was not effectively utilized, and on account that I was in a project not my own and without as clear a focus as other members, I lacked the foresight and inspiration to discover additional venues for contribution. Despite this, I feel that I could have contributed more to this project, but due to the relatively disorganized nature and late start, feel that unless I had literally seized control of the project, there is little else I could have contributed physically to the projects material content.
Still, the project did enable me to practice my skills with photoshop, draft interview questions, and reacquaint myself with camera equipment and operation. Additionally, I learned some rather interesting information during the research phases of the project concerning seniors and their interactions with technology and the internet. And while the numbers of online seniors are no where near those of other age groups, there are a surprising number of seniors using email and other technology services regularly.
In retrospect, I suppose I ought to have stuck with my original concept and done the work on my own. While the members of my group have worked admirably in their chosen tasks, the lack of official leadership early on has made this experience a small nightmare organizationally. I’ve never enjoyed leading projects such as this, but if this experience has taught me anything, it’s that I don’t have a choice if I want to see a project of this nature go smoothly.
From the very beginnings of this project, I have been apprehensive. Though assured that the project could be of almost any media, there was a noticeable pressure towards documentary/interview reliant projects. And so, I caved to pressure and attempted a documentary. However, sometimes an idea isn’t popular enough to gain support, and rather than go it alone, I disbanded my earlier concepts and hitched up with another group midway through the term. The new projects goal of “Bridging the Gap” between seniors and the younger generations through technology seemed a worthwhile endeavor, and with 5 persons on board, I hoped for the best.
To summarize my efforts on this project, I worked primarily researching information, locating relevant news artivles online, creating a graphic for the project logo, filming an interview session with professor Loges and Dorbolo, scripting interview questions for the group leader (which were not used), and contributing ideas and concepts during group meetings. Additionally, I stated on numerous occasions that I could do just about anything, and would be happy to help with anything that the group needed done.
However, the focus itself was somewhat vague. At first, we wanted to try to actually bridge the gap ourselves, reconnecting seniors with family through computer technology like Skype and email. As progress in the group was heavily stunted from other classes, work, and the like, a late start on interviews and job assignment left me feeling nervous and unstructured, which lead towards my near withdrawal from the class. However, once clear objectives and jobs were established (at my request), I continued onward, though felt limited in my assigned task of generating a graphic and assisting with interviews.
Unfortunately, my offer to help was not effectively utilized, and on account that I was in a project not my own and without as clear a focus as other members, I lacked the foresight and inspiration to discover additional venues for contribution. Despite this, I feel that I could have contributed more to this project, but due to the relatively disorganized nature and late start, feel that unless I had literally seized control of the project, there is little else I could have contributed physically to the projects material content.
Still, the project did enable me to practice my skills with photoshop, draft interview questions, and reacquaint myself with camera equipment and operation. Additionally, I learned some rather interesting information during the research phases of the project concerning seniors and their interactions with technology and the internet. And while the numbers of online seniors are no where near those of other age groups, there are a surprising number of seniors using email and other technology services regularly.
In retrospect, I suppose I ought to have stuck with my original concept and done the work on my own. While the members of my group have worked admirably in their chosen tasks, the lack of official leadership early on has made this experience a small nightmare organizationally. I’ve never enjoyed leading projects such as this, but if this experience has taught me anything, it’s that I don’t have a choice if I want to see a project of this nature go smoothly.
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