| Question
1: Do you feel that this was a worthwhile program to participate
in? Why or why not? |
- 21
participants responded that this was definitely a
worthwhile program. 1 participant stated that it "was
fun" but questioned whether there was educational
value to the project.
- A
sampling of responses:
- "I
feel that this was a very worthwhile program. Activities
that bring generations together bring understanding
of each other. Children need to know adults have
needs. Adults can give children understanding
as to what life is and can be. Anything to build
a better world is worthwhile."
- "Yes
or no. We all had fun, but is there educational
value?"
- ..."It
helped me to be more aware of the opportunities
I have with our grandchildren, although we are
separated by great distances..."
- ..."
I feel that this was a worthwhile program for
the children. Hopefully, they realized that the
minds and hearts of older people haven't changed
even though our bodies may not be as agile as
they once were..."
- "Yes,
it introduced me to the new type of teaching.
There are so many advantages today that we did
not have."
- "Absolutely!
It builds intergenerational bridges. I find these
children to be lucky. In my day we just had to
color between the lines."
- ..."In
addition to the obvious, they now know a retirement
community isn't just "an old folks"
home. My generation grew up with a negative concept..."
- ..."Some
of us don't have the opportunity to interact with
young children, and I thank you for that opportunity..."
- ..."I
felt both children and adults gained insight into
each other's lives. The delight was simple and
rewarding..."
|
| Question
2: Did you have enough opportunity to interact with your
buddy? |
- 14
respondents felt that they had enough time to interact
with the children.
- 5
felt that they would have liked more one-on-one time
with the child.
- 3
participants were unsure.
|
| Question
3: What activities did you like the best? |
-
9 participants enjoyed - Touring the school and retirement
community with their buddy
- 9
participants enjoyed - Participating in the interviews
- 6
participants enjoyed - Singing and dancing together
- 4
participants enjoyed - Sharing the Memory Book
- 3
participants enjoyed - Sharing dialogue with children
- 2
participants enjoyed - Listening to child read
- 2
participants enjoyed - Sharing photos
- 2
participants - Couldn't pick a favorite...enjoyed
all activities equally
- 1
participant enjoyed - The refreshments!
|
| Question
4: Do you feel the program was too short, too long, or
just right? |
- 14
respondents answered "just right."
- Other
responses included:
- "Four
weeks was just right. If each session
could be another 1/2 hour that would remove the
rather "rushed" feeling.
- "The
program could be longer. Perhaps 6 weeks..."
- "I
would like for the program to be longer."
- "4
times was probably enough, but if the sessions
could have been longer - perhaps 1 1/2 hours -
the time together might have seemed more normal.
Grandparents (great-grandparents) don't usually
do so many things in one hour!"
- "Just
right...although I wouldn't object to meeting
once a month during the school year."
- "The
hour went very fast, but with the school and bus
schedule, it was done well. However, perhaps when
the visit is at the school the session could be
longer."
- "It
would have worked with two more weeks."
- "Perhaps
two more times would have been nice..."
|
| Question
5: Did you feel the program was well organized? |
- All
22 participants responded that they felt the program
was very well organized.
|
| Question
6: Do you think you may continue your relationship with
your buddy via e-mail in the future? |
- 18
of the Grandbuddies indicated that they are interested
in trying to continue the relationship via e-mail
in the future.
- Other
responses included:
- "Since
he has no e-mail at home I may not send too much
to school. May send notes to his home or school."
- "I
had the feeling that my two little girls weren't
as interested in e-mail as I thought they would
be. I'd be willing to keep corresponding if they
desired to do so, but certainly, in my view, that
activity wasn't high on their list of "fun"
things to do with a grandbuddy..."
- "I
hope so, but to be truthful, I have my doubts.
We do not have enough in common for the children
to want to continue e-mailing me."
|
| Question
7: Would you be interested in attending a follow-up visit
to Greentown Elementary in May? |
- 21
participants responded "yes" and 1 participant
responded "no."
|
| Question
8: What changes might you suggest to improve the program? |
- 9
of the participants did not feel any changes to the
program were necessary.
- 8
of the participants felt that the program would be
improved by recruiting more seniors to achieve a 1:1
adult/child ratio. While they enjoyed the program,
it was difficult to divide their attention between
two children and accomplish the tasks without feeling
rushed.
- 3
respondents felt that the program might be more suitable
for a higher grade level.
- A
sampling of other responses:
- ..."Being
a senior computer group, you are dealing with
active, interested people and not (perhaps) a
cross section of seniors..."
- "...It
might have been interesting to have a ten-minute
period where we read to them or with them, which
would provide a quiet-time break..."
- ..."Have
the children talk louder...I have hearing aids."
- "I
don't think the children understand what they
are doing for the project. The evaluation should
be on the children. Ask them how they feel in
meeting seniors. Educational-wise, I did not feel
that I contributed any."
- "..More
questions about life when seniors were the age
of the children. This would provide more interaction
between the child and the senior citizens."
|
| Questions
9: If we decide to repeat the program next year, would
you be interested in participating again? |
- 19
answered "yes."
- 1
answered "no."
- 2
were undecided.
|
