Analyzing results
Evaluation of results is based on reaching the objectives posed. The main sources of information are: the persons assisted (young people and seniors), educators and partners involved with the program.
The success of the seniors' learning experience is perceived in what they can get out of the computer - an e-mail from a distant relative, a printed text, information from a search engine site, a poem expressed and printed with the aid of a word processor or even a drawing made using digital tools - but also in the satisfaction of learning, interrelating and exchanging experiences.
In terms of more general aspects, the program may also be evaluated by the level of involvement of the professionals and partner institutions and by the impact on lives of young people and community. A crucial point is drafting the reports to be sent to the initiative's partners, which also function as records of the Oldnet Program with proposals and results.
Each team may define its own methods of evaluation in line with the needs or particularities of each locality, adding new perspectives and approaches. Nevertheless we have suggested some issues to guide evaluation processes below.
| Evaluating Oldnet Program's impact on seniors: |
| Did the Oldnet Program enable the senior to share experiences with people of other ages? What impact did this encounter have for the seniors' life? |
| Did the senior manage to expand their knowledge of computers and the internet? |
| Did the Oldnet Program change the senior's perception in relation to computers and new technologies? What activities did the seniors start developing with the assistance of computers? |
| Did the Oldnet Program enable the senior to broaden their social life? Did internet access intensify or extend their networks of relationships? |
Evaluating Oldnet Program's impact on young people: |
1 - Did the Oldnet Program enable young people to fully experience the teacher's role? What impact will this have for their lives? |
2 - Did the Oldnet Program help change young people's view of seniors? Was there a change in (or end to) possible stereotypes in relation to seniors? |
3 - Did the Oldnet Program help young people develop attitudes such as responsibility, flexibility and respect for diversity? |
| Enlarging the Oldnet Program's impact on the community: |
| 1 - Did the Oldnet Program facilitate new partnerships in the community involved? How do partners evaluate the Program? |
| 2 - Do the institutions or the families of the young people and seniors believe that the Oldnet Program made a positive contribution to their lives? How? |
| 3 - Did the Oldnet Program help in encouraging young people and seniors to take part in the community? |
Sustainability and continuity
From an economics point of view, the financial yield from a project determines its sustainability in so far as it enables it to work effectively and indefinitely after external financial support comes to an end. Sustainability requires resources to guarantee continuity and maintenance of the program.
Interaction with the community, the articulation of effective partnerships, producing and managing financial resources, and adopting mechanisms for social action appear to be required factors for fulfilling the program's potential and ensuring its continuity through strategies for sustainable development of the initiative.
| Articulating partnerships with schools, government, courses and companies that can supply part of the material and human resources through social investment programs or donations; |
Articulating partnerships with computer laboratories or cyber cafes that can house Oldnet workshops free of charge during off-peak hours; |
Developing sites or blogs to be implemented jointly by young people and seniors during the program's classes, with the objective of providing services and/or products capable of earning financial resources through sponsorship, donation or e-commerce; |
| Developing a program to obtain funding from individuals or organizations; |