A Sample Report

-- A study member asked: How will success of this effort be measured to ascertain the need for continuation?

Answer:

Success will be measured by self-reporting of anecdotes or anything else participants think of. It will be up to me to massage it into something meaningful.
An anecdote, sample of the "reporting" I would like:
I mentor a CAOnline branch board member in my branch. She agreed to let me use her as an example of reporting:

She agreed to manage a blog to inform members about certain matters and host discussion. But she described herself as barely computer literate and would need a lot of help. On that basis we began what turned into about 8 hours of work over 2 or 3 weeks. We did it two ways:
1 - We emailed Q&A. I sent instructions which I then saved to use again, she emailed back for more help, etc., and
2 - We talked by phone as we watched our PCs. I instructed; she took steps; we solved problems. Usually half an hour at a time. I have "free" long distance!

Beginning skills: She could email, could sometimes download attachments but not save them, could not upload attachments, and could use a word processor with difficulty. She had almost no understanding of what she saw on her PC monitor. She could access the AAUW ASSN website and occasionally others but without understanding how she did it. She had no idea how to use a blog, knew nothing about PDF files, but fortunately could copy/paste. Windows opened and closed but she was never sure how it happened or how to find them again: she had no control over that basic feature!

Current skills: (She is still learning by leaps & bounds.)
- She understands email accounts and now has two.
- She understands more of what is on her monitor, what it means and how to use it, especially accessing websites and how to use"links".
- She understand more about the use of multiple windows. (Lots still to learn here.)
- She can log into her blog's dashboard (a HUGE accomplishment) and create postings, upload images to her posts, and activate words in a post for linkage to a website URL.
- She easily sends and receives emails, including downloading and saving attachments.
- She knows a few blog management strategies such as copying information from elsewhere to post.
-She recognizes PDF files and knows how to open and save them.

My board member is eager to learn and a good student.
As program vp in her land-based branch she decided to include that branch in this pilot. She is so pleased with what she and I accomoplished that she wants her members to have the same help. She says they need it badly.
She is 78 years old.