A Living History Experience
This is a project in which you can become a reporter and
historian. Your task is to question the mentors about their
past and to record the facts you learn. Make your notes as
complete as possible to use in later assignments. To be a
good interviewer you must listen carefully while you record
answers. You can fill in the details soon after class.
The mentors will be asking you similar questions at the same
time. Finish as many questions as possible but don't lose
the opportunity for more depth in your conversation when you
come to a subject that interests you both.
Since this is a double interview make sure that your mentor
has time to answer questions and that you take a similar amount
of time. Be attentive to sharing question asking and question
answering.
The purpose of this interview is to help mentors and students
get acquainted and gain first-hand knowledge about their interests
and experiences.
The interview guide gives the student and mentor questions
to ask one another. You should complete all the questions
in the section and then the mentor will ask you similar questions.
The notes you take will be important for the short summary
you will write after the interview. See the last page for
an outline of your short summary.
Section One: Beginning Questions
Where were you born?
Did you live there most of your childhood? Where else did
you live?
How many brothers and sisters do you have and where do they
live?
Do you have grandchildren?
Section Two: Early Childhood
What was it like to grow up in your hometown or neighborhood?
Tell me about your early schooling.
Describe a memorable experience from your childhood. It
can be humorous, sad, an example of your great courage, or
the first thing that comes into your mind.
Section Three: Teen Years
Describe the first person you dated or your first dance.
What were the dating practices like?
What was the most difficult about being a teenager?
In your younger years what did you do for recreation?
Section Four: Job/Hobbies/Talents
What was your first paid or volunteer job?
What are your interests or hobbies?
What things do you do well?
Section Five: History
What are two of the most important changes you have seen
in the world in your lifetime?
How do you think family life has changed over the years?
What major events in history do you remember?
Section Six: Conclusion
What are the most important problems facing the world today?
What do you see as the major problems of college life?
How do you think older adults and students can help each
other?
What contributions have you made to make the world a better
place to live? What contributions would you like to make in
the future?
Section Seven: One-Page Summary
An Overview
About the Interview
1. How frequently do you interact with older adults?
Daily__ Once a week__ Once a month __ Twice a year or less
often___
How and where does this take place?
2. How did you begin the interview?
3. When you first met the mentors/students did you feel uncomfortable?
Please describe your feelings.
4. Did you have problems understanding one another? Words,
phrases, ideas? Describe
5. Were there any tense moments from topics you discussed?
Describe the incident and how you resolved it.
6. What was the highlight of the interview?
About Communication
1. What did you learn in general about interviewing an older
person?
2. What did you learn about aging & communication?
3. What were your expectations? Were they realized?
4. What could this person contribute to education? How would
you get him or her involved?
5. Did the interviewee conform to stereotypes about aging?
