Writing Prompt 2

Q. What new resources and tools have you acquired in the past weeks that you'd like to share with other DFM participants?

A. There are alot of tools that I have acquired in the past weeks from both my workshop and track classes. The tools so far are gmail, twitter, google docs, blogger, mind maps, prezi, u+td collaborativem graphics and audio recorder to name a few...

The tools I use the most are gmail to exchange information with DFM students and instructors. I also love all the google products/docs because there is something for everything you might need to do. There are spreadsheets, calender, blogs, alerts etc.

Q. What challenges have you faced and what have you overcome over the course of the first weeks.

A. In terms of challenges faced the biggest was how to get my project done on such a large scale. I had big ideas that seemed to make so much sense but in essence the constituted alot of work that could not be done in the time period we have. It also meant taking all the workshops available at one time which is impossible.
After much thought, finger wringling and pulling hair I decided to narrow my focus and concerntrate on one area - seniors. I want to make a website that services seniors on key issues they face today in Detroit. I also want a social aspect to be included that tells the stories of seniors and their perspectives.
It is here that I ran into my next challenge - site maintenance after creation! I spoke to my track instuctor Jeannette, and she offered a great solution. Why not let the seniors maintain their own site and also let them tweak the content on pressing issues or platform they feel is necessary. Thanks Jenny for the ideas.

A more personal challenge I faced was interacting with others because I tend to be introverted. I have grown tremendously in this area and interact more. I ask questions and keep pushing boundaries for myself. I know the best is yet to come....

The last challenge I faced was in graphic class as I had to no software to use outside DFM. I came in and worked on my homework and received help from my instuctors Ron and Nate. My classmate Prema helped me so much. My eyes have been opened since taking Illustrator and Photoshop and I see things from different perspectives. I see so many possibilities and I do feel like changing my workshop to just graphics but that is another story........

10 Interview Ouestions on Seniors.

1. How would seniors be able to come together and have access to information that relates to them and   improves their quality of life?.

2. What are some of the problems/issues that face seniors in Detroit?

3. What would be 3 key problems/issues faced by seniors in Detroit?

4. What solutions can be offered to solve the problems/issues in Q.3?

5. Why do seniors find it so hard to access resources in Detroit compared to the suburbs?

6. What might the solutions be to Q.5?

7. Of the top 3 solutions in Q.5 can a plan be organized to implement the solutions?

8. How do we get tha workable plan moving to make information to access of resources, organizations and services easier to find and utilized?

9. What in an ideal situation would Detroit offer its seniors that they do not get today in the form of resources?

10. How can seniors have a big voice to express their concerns and actually get listened to?

Interview Questions:

Intrview questions should get to the heart of things such as How? What? and Why? All Essential Questions should have a running theme of how, what and why.

Interview questions should also be synthesized to cover a broad spectrum in the answers you get. An example of this is given below.

Q. Why do Detroit's problems of balancing its budget keep getting bigger?
Q. What effect do the youth have on the future of Detroit?

Find a connection between the 2 questions and come up with 1 question that synthesizes the 2 topics.

Q. What if we prioritized balancing the budget by giving kindergateners in Detroit the resources and support they need to fulfil their greatest potential?

Q.What is your most significant shift in your project since you started (positive)?

A. My project has changed from what was a truly big project to something smaller. My earlier project covered community development and resources available to wome, children, men, youth and seniors. Now my concerntration has shifted to seniors and their concerns. By streamlining to one group I find that I am focused and things seem to flow better. I may not explore all senior concerns and issues that seniors face today but I can definitely build on what I will have. The building blocks are now in place.

Working on tweaking my media project proposal for the review in March. I need to have a concrete outline that is less broad and that is more of a "pilot project" that can serve as a model for inclusive participation to other East Detroit areas. I am establishing a grid area that is doable (sic) and practical. I intend to get in touch with a neighbourhood organization in my community development area and conduct my survey's with them. I will then be able to populate a list of people whose ideas, concerns and solutions can be incorporated into my project. All I do know at this point is there is a lot of work to be done.

I am still marinading on my media project and I am starting to form an outline of sorts. There is so much I want to capture on this site and provide but after all "Rome was not built in one day".

In the meantime I have been exposed to Twitter, Blogs, use of collaboration tools such as google docs, google spreadsheets, wordle, surveys, free writing and prezi. I look forward to learning more and determining which tools will fit best.

Detroit Community Connect is a resource website for Detroit communities to get information from community organizations to empower them on a personal and economical level by receiving services, training or workshops.

The ideas that I have for my major project are to get feedback from my community on what they see as important to change their lives for the better. This information will lead to researching organizations that can help. Once a list has been populated the work of loading them on the website can begin. I would also like to have general lists for resources that are categorized for Children, Youth, Women and Seniors.

I am planning to investigate people's needs and wants in this economy for their advancement and bridging this with organizations that can help. It will be a one stop resource centre on the web. This will support my vision of Detroit's future through empowering people with knowledge at their fingertips that they can use to change their circumstances and outlook on life.

The media skills I need would actually incorporate all three tools: web, video and graphics. I will use the web and graphics for now as outlined in the classes provided to me by Detroit Future Media.