The project team met with Executive Director Xiulan of the Minquan Community Development Association in Yonghe District on Thursday, December 5, 2024, to discuss the course planning for the "Digital New Life for Seniors - Practical Mobile Phone Course" and "Active Aging Influencers - Photography Training Course." The following points were discussed: 1. Course Content and Focus Mobile Phone Practical Skills for Seniors: The main objective is to help seniors overcome the digital divide by equipping them with mobile phone and photography skills. These courses aim to enable seniors to integrate these digital tools into their daily lives, enhancing their quality of life and social interactions. Photography Training for Seniors: The goal is to provide seniors with the skills to take high-quality photos, including topics such as composition, lighting, shooting techniques, and image editing. The course will teach participants how to capture and enhance images, enabling them to share them easily. 2. Course Design and Learning Structure Mobile Phone Course: Executive Director Xiulan mentioned that most seniors in the Minquan Community already have basic mobile phone skills. Therefore, the course will avoid overly basic content and focus on practical applications, such as phone management, social media usage, and health monitoring functions. Photography Course: The photography curriculum will include topics like composition, lighting, shooting techniques, and post-production. This will allow participants to grasp photography skills easily and learn how to beautify and share their photos. 3. Teaching Methodology Small Class Format: Both parties agreed that the courses should be taught in small groups, with class sizes ranging from 15 to 20 participants. This will allow the instructor to provide individualized guidance, improving the overall learning experience. Class Duration: Given the learning needs of seniors, it was suggested that each class last between 90 to 120 minutes and be divided into multiple sessions. This will provide ample time for practice and assimilation of the content. Interactive Learning: The courses will emphasize interaction and practical applications. For the mobile phone course, participants will engage in simulated scenario exercises. For the photography course, outdoor shooting sessions will be organized to help students apply what they've learned in real-time. 4. Instructor Selection and Collaboration Instructor Recommendations: Executive Director Xiulan suggested inviting instructors with experience teaching seniors. The association will assist in connecting local instructors with professional backgrounds. The research team will be responsible for developing the course structure and teaching materials. Collaboration: Both parties agreed to collaborate on course development, with the Minquan Community Development Association handling the recruitment of instructors and the research team providing the course framework and teaching resources. 5. Promotion and Enrollment Promotion Strategy: The courses will be promoted through the community’s existing networks. Flyers and announcements on social media platforms will be used to publicize the courses. A preliminary survey will be conducted to gauge interest and determine the number of participants and their needs. 6. Course Timing Scheduling: The courses are initially scheduled for mid-December during weekend times to make it easier for seniors to attend. This timing also helps avoid conflicts with other community activities. The meeting successfully outlined the course objectives, content, and structure. The next steps will involve finalizing the course details, recruiting instructors, promoting the courses within the community, and preparing materials for the first sessions in mid-December.

Implemented by Center for Teaching and Learning Development
Date: 2024/12/05