Joan won the Lottery. She was the first CVAG member to receive the opportunity to test drive the Kindle 2. Joan lives with significant aphasia. Joan’s communication success is largely dependent on assistance from her communication partner.
Joan was initially only “mildly interested” in using the Kindle. She rated her interest as a 2 on a 1 to 5 point scale. She rated her confidence that using the technology would be fun as a 1 on a 1 to 5 point scale.
The Kindle Coaches were scheduled 2 times per week. Our coaching approach includes being quiet, letting the learner touch and explore the technology. We want to work together to find the simplest way to enjoy the activity. The Kindle Coaches want the Kindle 2 experience to be challenging but fun!
As a volunteer (Kindle Coach) I had the pleasure of meeting with, and getting to know Joan and her spouse. Although we interacted at the CVAG, our Kindle test drive took place at her home. At home, Joan seemed more engaging, expressive, and comfortable. Before and during the test drive we enjoyed conversations and levels of sharing that I had not previously experienced with this couple. I learned many things about Joan and her husband: they are Chicago Bear fans, the song Moon River holds special significance to them, they enjoy house boating on the Mississippi, and relating family stories. Our visits expanded our knowledge about their interests and activities. But each conversation added to the growing relationship between the Kindle team and the couple.
Our challenge was to find the best fit between Joan’s individual reading interest and the Kindle’s capacity to help her enjoy that interest. As a Kindle Coach my goal was to provide Joan with the basic skills to use the technology for the purpose of reading. In this case, we simplified the directions for the use of the Kindle so that Joan was able to successfully navigate the device without becoming overwhelmed. Once the navigation of the Kindle was understood and learned, we were able to use the information we had gathered in conversation to narrow down reading items of interest. She selected The Reader’s Digest, The Fine Art of Small Talk, and uploaded articles from Reminisce Magazine. Joan’s personal interest choice was a download of Audrey Hepburn’s Autobiography. We discovered that while using the Kindle, Joan’s oral reading skills were quite good. She also benefited from using a reading guide and coaching suggestions as to when to rest or review.
The text to speech (TTS) option within the Kindle added a new level of complexity. Unfortunately, it disrupted the actual reading process for Joan. To overcome this barrier, we supplied Joan with a guide to follow along with the text as it was being read. This process was still distracting. Joan found reading more enjoyable when she read aloud as she moved the guide down the page.
We incorporated oral reading into the couple’s homework assignments and emphasized reading aloud during our Kindle practice times. It just so happened that Joan got to show off her oral reading skills during one of our CVAG meetings. Our group was taking some time to “interview” different members. This activity allows group members to learn about others and to develop shared conversation topics. Joan was asked to be the Interviewer. She read a few interview questions. She did a beautiful job. Group members were supportive and it allowed Joan to show her communication strengths.
Joan completed the tasks associated with Level 1 on our Kindle Coaches Test Drive Navigation Guide. Joan rated her interest in continuing with the Kindle as a 4/5. She expressed enjoyment in the activity. She rated her confidence in having fun with technology as 4/5. Will Joan and her husband buy a Kindle2 ? I am not sure. But they are going to look at the new larger Kindle. They promised to let the group know about their investigations. Will Joan join a book club in the next year ? If she does I know that the Kindle Coaches will be there to enjoy the club with her.
My coaching experience with Joan helped me to get to know her and to learn about how to help others.
Gretchen Anderson,BA
Thomas L. Hintgen MA CCC/SLP
Jerry Hoepner,ABD CCC/SLP
