WHO:
|
Natalie
Heins
|
| WHEN:
|
Sunday
February 4, 2001
|
| WHY: |
Proxy
user, nanny to 3 children, ages 6, 3, and 1.
|
| INTERVIEWED
BY: |
Kirsten
Swearingen
|
| NOTES:
|
Natalie
was a good proxy user in that she provided a lot of information on
Charlie's book selecting and computer habits. However, he is 6 years
old and does not have strong reading, writing or typing skills so
would not be a good target user for Reading Tree. I asked Natalie
to answer the kid questions to the best of her ability, from Charlie's
point of view. |
1. What do you
like to do after school/ on the weekends?
Didn't ask.
2. When do you
read books?
At night, all day, at the library, for down time. Doesn't always READ
the books-lots of the time he's just looking at pictures. Can read elementary
sentences, like "This is a red book." I read to him a lot.
3. What kind of
books do you like to read? Do you like stories or facts better (fiction
or non-fiction)?
Non-fiction mostly. Things he can learn. Really likes books on space and
the "Eyewitness" series.
4. What's your
favorite book? How did you find it originally?
Doesn't have a favorite book, more like a "book of the week." Right now,
the Eyewitness series. For fiction, really likes the Captain Underpants
series.
5. When you pick
out books how do you do it?
At the library, we use the LION system to look up books, find out the
number. Like books on "jets" for instance. (I usually do the typing for
him.) Then we go the section where that subject is and he just sits down
on the floor and starts pulling them down, book by book and pores over
them. Other books he finds out about from friends. Also asks me. Usually
puts it "Can you find me a book about…?" Teacher takes him to the library
every week and helps him find books. This past week, during story time
they read about Jimmie's Boa-he found another book by the same author.
His parents give him books, if there's something he's interested in. They're
good about that.
6. What do you
think is the best way to find a book you'll like?
Didn't ask.
7. For school projects/
book lists, how do you pick out a book?
Didn't ask.
8. Once you find
a book you think you'll like, how do you get it?
Didn't ask.
9. What makes a
book interesting to you?
Covers are very important. Also, has to have a lot of pictures.
10. Do you ever
ask for books for your birthday? How do you know what to ask for?
No, doesn't ask. He knows he'll get some anyway.
11. Do you ever
go shopping for books with your parents?
Doesn't usually go to bookstores-goes to library regularly.
12. Do you ever
use a computer? Where? What do you use it for?
Uses the computer at home, in the study. Has been using it for about 2
years. Uses educational software-likes Mathblaster, ReadingBlaster, and
Magic Schoolbus (can look inside a body, waterworks, or a rainforest-very
cool). Also a science program, Yoda Math, and Richard Scarry Reading.
Uses it for games too-Tonka Truck.
13. What's the
hardest thing about using a computer?
Doesn't like ones that are above or below his ability. Yoda Math was too
hard. Cat in the Hat too easy-seemed dumb. Has no problem with his fine
motor skills, though clicking, holding and dragging is a little tricky
sometimes. Biggest problem is when things don't go-when there are glitches
or bugs, or a site is slow to load. When he was younger, this was a much
bigger problem-he would get so frustrated and upset.
14. What do you
like best about using a computer?
Likes creating things. Also, one program spits out a certificate when
he finishes something-he LOVES that. Likes little games-there's a game
show program. Definitely need to have audio. Likes discovering stuff-clicking
on different parts of a big picture and things happen, things pop out
at him.
15. Do you ever
use the Internet? What are your favorite websites?
Doesn't use the Internet much. Goes to the PBS Arthur site sometimes.
Oh, also likes me to help him look things up on Internet. The NASA site
is very good.
16. Do you only
IM/chat with friends you already know? If no: How do you meet new friends
online? Do you always talk to the same people online? Do you look at people's
profiles?
Does not IM or chat online.
17. Do you play
video games? If so which are your favorites? What do you like about video
games?
Yes, but mostly educational games.
18. How old are
you?
6 years old (birthday is October so a young 6)
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