Let it shine.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008@11:17 PM

Third Visit

14/4/2008, Monday
Time: 9.45-11.00 am
-left school at about 9.10am and took a cab to the daycare centre ($12.05)

-we brought the potted plants and charts for the elderly
+we were quite lost on how and when do we explain to them the taking care of the plants and the star rating system (more stars, better plants they can exchange for)
hence...
+we followed each other as a group every where, which is not very advisible because it shows that we are uncertain of what to do
*1 issue to take note! Planning and carrying it out are two completely different scenarios!*

-while waiting for the elderly to finish their brunch, we discussed among ourselves after the staff told us to sing songs for them during one of their games(pass the bag until the music stops)
+we decided to let Dip Shun/Timothy play the guitar and at the same time, all of us will sing along certain songs
*1 issue to note! We have to prepare song lists next time.*

-after our mini last minute discussion, we interviewed the particular old lady who keep repeating her questions given to us
+there is a video, voice recording and pictures of the interview
*1 issue to note! Other elderly "seemed" to be jealous when all four of us crowded with her to talk. Perhaps we could try to engage more elderly in group discussions.*

-next, we went on the sing songs for the elderly as they sat in an oval to play "pass the bag"
+there is a video, voice recording and pictures of the game
+we can see that most of the elderly have a lag time as they continued passing the bag even though the music had stopped
*1 issue to note! When talking to them, we could try to slow down, speak louder and wait patiently for their response because they may have human reaction time error.*

-then, the limelight was shone on us as we had to talk about the plants
we got for them
+we were a bit lost when that happened because most of us did not know
how to address a large group of elderly on the plants
+because we were inexperienced, did not know which dialect will most of them
understand and did not know how to speak in that dialect
+we asked the elderly whether they were interested in taking care of plants and told those who are interested to raise up their hand
*1 issue to note! It works, but i think that we have to speak louder, clearer and in more dialects/ languages*
+so, we managed to distribute all the 8 plants we got for them, however, the indian man who had wanted a pot did not get it
(all of us did not know - maybe its because he did not raise his hand up?)
+for the indian man, we decided to buy a small potted plant ($2.00) for him and bring it on next monday
+some of us and some staff informed and reminded the elderly on how to take care of the plants
+in the end, the charts we made for the elderly are of no use
*1 issue to note! Perhaps we should not plan too much first. Instead,we can try to go with the flow, learn to improvise and do inpromto things better.*
+we can observe that the staff labels their plants with the owner's name
(good way for them to remember which plant is theirs)

-by then, its already 11.00 am so we bid goodbyes to them and took a cab back
to school ($10.00)

***Issues to note!*** X_X
1) Planning and carrying it out are two completely different scenarios!
2) We have to prepare song lists next time. Preferbly in oldies in dialects.
3) Other elderly "seemed" to be jealous when all four of us crowded with her to talk. Perhaps we could try to engage more elderly in group discussions.
4) When talking to them, we could try to slow down, speak louder and wait patiently for their response because they may have human reaction time error.
5) It works, but i think that we have to speak louder, clearer and in more
dialects/languages.
6) Perhaps we should not plan too much first. Instead,we can try to go with the flow, learn to improvise and do inpromto things better.

Next meeting: Coming Saturday, 10.00am, Choa Chu Kang MRT station?