Ethnography User Summary #2

Posted on by Rob

This interview was conducted with Carmen Campbell, and contrasted the interview with Muriel Giambone significantly.

 

User Characteristics: “Active Arnold”

Grandmother, matriarch, community figure

Female, age 74

Garage sales, antique shopping, family oriented, mutual caretaking with spouse

 

What drives her?

Family, cooking, Catholicism, shopping and exploring antiques

 

What is her biggest point of pain?

Grandchildren moving away, making contact and communication less regular and common

 

Memorable Quotes:

“I am out and about almost every day, Curt and I walk regularly and like to see the neighbors”

“I’m interested in new technologies, Curt and I use the computer a lot to see the news and to talk to family”

“We’re both doing great now, but in the next decade things might become more difficult to maintain our lifestyle. I don’t know what will happen”

 

Top 3 Takeaways:

  1. Worried about family moving away from them, and having less communication.
  2. Very much involved in the community, feels rejuvenated by Church activities
  3. Casual interest in technology, but some devices are more approachable than others

 

Activities

  • Morning breakfast with Curt, feed the cats, and have some early tea
  • Neighborhood walk, say hi to friends in community
  • Church activities such as catechumen meetings, HOPE Ministry meetings, prayer sessions
  • Email correspondence with family every day, multiple per day
  • Some television but not much, focus is on reading

 

Environment

  • Kitchen, for cooking three full meals a day
  • Garden, for growing vegetables and fruits to cook with
  • Yard, for tending chickens and cats
  • Living room, for checking and sending e-mail and watching television

 

Interactions

  • Curt, husband, every day at home and most places together
  • Elizabeth, daughter, nearly every day
  • Sofia, granddaughter, nearly every day with Elizabeth
  • Andru, grandson, most days (serves as a sort of guardian)
  • Church members and ministers

 

Objects

  • Computer and e-mail
  • Television
  • Books
  • Focus on food and cooking

 

 

  • Children and grandchildren
  • Spouse
  • Sisters (also elderly)