FAQs

1. Will the platform be simple and intuitive to use?

 

Yes! When developing the mobile application, there will be a heavy emphasis on simplicity. Through creating thorough specifications, annotated designs, and tests with senior citizens, the application will become simple to use. Also, when first using the application, the user will be required to engage in an interactive tutorial on using the application and its different features.

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   2. What if senior citizens have connectivity issues?

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Senior citizens who have connectivity issues on their smartphones will have difficulty accessing and using the application, since an internet connection is required.

 

The videos will also be published on Gramtech’s YouTube channel, and the user can download whichever playlist item they would like to learn from, and watch them offline.

 

   3. How will senior citizens simultaneously consult Gramtech’s tutorial while trying the method out themselves?

 

Users will not be able to perform these two tasks simultaneously. Hence, I conducted an experiment on my grandparents and discussed their experience with the tutorials.

 

I discovered that both of them were able to perform the same method on their phone after watching the tutorial, and were able to remember how to do it a few days after as well.

 

This can only occur if the tutorials are simple and easy to follow. Hence, each tutorial’s length will be a maximum of 90 seconds. I am also considering other learning material types such as audio instructional messages.

 

  4. What skills will be taught?

 

Depending on popularity from seniors in surveys, we will rank the skills to be taught and create tutorials accordingly. However, initially Gramtech will be covering basic topics such as:

1. Changing volume

2. Browsing on the web

3. Downloading apps

4. Setting alarms

5. Sending a text message on the phone

6. Calling numbers, and saving them as a contact

7. Setting up WIFI and connecting

8. Checking weather on the weather app and adding cities

9. Taking notes on notepad and saving them

10. Using Google maps to find the location of a place

11. Using the calculator on your phone

12. Sound and vibration settings

13. Setting passwords

14. Clicking pictures/videos

15. Flashlight

16. Connecting/disconnecting bluetooth devices

17. Setting up email

18. Video Calling through Facetime/Google Meet

 

Other topics that will be covered initially include photos, contacts and messaging on WhatsApp and Facebook. After these basic concepts are covered, the tutorials will dive more into connecting with others through various mediums.

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  5. How will I teach seniors to reach Gramtech’s website/app?

 

Gramtech will be using student ambassadors to contact different senior citizens in different regions and introduce them to the project. To do this, Gramtech will contact multiple youth organizations, schools, and utilize social media to gain student ambassadors.

 

A survey I conducted showed that 91% of students wished to be involved in a project like Gramtech, indicating a steady supply of student ambassadors once the project is launched. Another great way to get some seniors full access to the app 

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Online marketing through WhatsApp groups will also allow seniors to reach Gramtech’s website, and will reach more and more target audience members as the message is forwarded.

 

  6. How will I make it user-friendly enough to tell them how to start the tutorials?

 

On the website and app, Gramtech users will be required to go through an initial interactive tutorial on using the app. Also, student ambassadors in the area will provide guidance and instructional manuals if necessary.

 

  7. What if seniors don’t have smartphones?

 

In India, 57 million people above the age of 50 currently own smartphones, and that number is rapidly increasing. In fact, between 2013, and 2015 smartphone ownership of this demographic quadrupled. Thus, while some may not have smartphones, Gramtech will be impacting more and more seniors by the year.

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  8. What are Gramtech’s components?

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Gramtech is made of several components. The main component of Gramtech will be the mobile application that uses artificial intelligence. It will also have a live website, that can accept donations, tutorials from students, and also guide senior citizens in downloading the application. Gramtech will also maintain social media accounts to spread awareness. It will also have an email account that allows me to reach out to various different organizations and NGOs for partnering. Gramtech will then be employing students to act as ambassadors to their regions, promoting the product to senior citizens and recruiting more students.

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  9. What are ‘student ambassadors’ and how will we recruit them?

In order to spread the word quickly, Gramtech aims to employ students who will act as ambassadors to their regions. These ambassadors will be required to distribute flyers, and recruit both senior citizens and other students. We will recruit these students through social media, and other youth organizations, as well as community programs across schools in India. The survey I conducted showed that 91% of students would want to get involved with this project indicating, as mentioned above, that Gramtech will have a steady supply of ambassadors.

 

 

 

  10. How does Gramtech make its video tutorials?

At first, a script is developed for the 90 second tutorial on the phone feature. Students creating tutorials will be required to download a screen recorder on their phone. The screen recorder will be activated, and the feature, and its location, as well as how to use it will be shown in the phone through multiple steps. Next, the student needs to record the voice-over. In a scenario where the student cannot record due to background noise, the voice over can be recorded by someone else. They can then be compiled and a video can be created. The process can take a maximum of one hour.

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  11. How does Gramtech intend to make revenue?

Gramtech will be using a 'freemium model' at $4 a month for access to all learning material. Based on research, this seems to be a suitable price for senior citizens in India owning smartphones. We also intend to employ advertisements for senior citizen products on our app (in the non-premium version).

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