GLLS 2008 - Now it's Grandma's Turn to Wii

This session was presented by Allan M. Kleiman from Old Bridge Public Library in Old Bridge, NJ!

Allan talked about how his library successfully implemented a Wii gaming series in his library for senior citizens.

Using the library's Teen Advisory Board as mentors, the library created a series of sessions for senior citizens to come and learn how to use controllers, play basic games, such as Wii Sports, and created a non-threatening, fun-filled environment for seniors to come and learn some new technology!

The library created 3 learning sessions prior to the actual gaming series, to train Teen Volunteers on how to teach senior citizens to use the Wii. They did things like, role play how they would teach their grandparent's to use the Wii. stressed the importance of going slow and being patient, and prepared the teens for a number of different learning scenarios!

When the gaming series started, teens taught the seniors for 1 hour, and than were "rewarded" with 2 hours of open-play after the event!
This way, kids felt like they weren't just working and leaving, and seniors had a chance to see some of the crazy games that they could eventually play!

By the end of the gaming series, seniors were able to play many Wii sport games, and actually gave Guitar Hero a try!
As this program has continued, Allan said that the seniors are now teaching each other, and the library is looking forward to starting a Wii League that will compete against local assisted living facilities in the area!

Keys to success for this event were:
-Pre-training for teens, as well as hand picking teens that were enthusiastic!
-Having multiple gaming nights instead of just one night. Seniors need more than one session to learn everything and get to a point of playing. They like to know they have a chance at retaining what they learn by playing more than once!
-Plenty of Beverages! Staying hydrated is really important while playing such active games!
-Not making a competition. Allan found that the majority of seniors just wanted to play and support one another. The idea of gaming and competition isn't a strong pull for seniors. Stick to Open-Gaming forums in the beginning!

I LOVE this idea! How great would it be to create an inter-generational event at your library, using the teens you already have!