Below are the results of the primary research that was carried out at the community centre. There are some statistic results but there are also comments and pictures that the children discussed on the day while on the computer. There were 20 children who were questioned which is a small number but this was the majority of the community centre. More schools were approached and asked if research could be done but all 4 replied explaining that it i a hectic time for them (as it was around Christmas).
Results
Place: Wargrave Community Centre in Newton-Le-Willows
Children who took part: 20
Ages of the children: 6-10
Time spent at the community centre: 3 hours
First Research Method- Activity for 5 children
This was the activity where children were asked a few questions and picked their favourites from the cut outs that we provided. There were also blank cards for them to tell us if we missed any of their favourite things out. There are pictures below of the activities carried out. There are no images of the children as the children were allowed to be photographed but these images were not allowed to leave the centre.
First Activity: Pick your 3 favourite websites
The results are below:
As you can see Moshi Monsters along with CBBC proved to be the most popular among the children. However, Moshi Monsers gained the top spot more than CBBC. Throughout the session the children became excited when they were asked what Moshi Monsters was and why they liked it. The main response was due to their character that they created and one child named Leo spent 30 minutes drawing a picture of his Moshi Monsters which highlighted how involved the children are with this community.
When the children mentione CBBC more watched the channel than logged onto the website. However, the boys who took part in the research seemed more interested in CBBC and its games than the girls, which could be an area to be researched in more.
Bin Weevils also proved to be a popular choice which also includes choosing a character and exploring the website as your on personalised character. Facebook made the list but only 1 person had an account mainly due to parental control as parents do not feel safe letting their children go on Facebook. However, all the children had heard of Facebook and repeated the line "I'm allowed to go on it when I'm older."
The Second Activity: Why do you go on the internet (pick your top
Games, listening to music and personal achievement where all picked although the personal achievement option as not include, many of the children said they loved completing games and achieving something on-line.
The Third Activity: How long do you spend on the internet?
This question proved to be too complicated to ask as the children did not have any sense of time and could not answer the question. However, all the children said they go on the computer every day with 70% of them saying they go on more than once. More over 30% of the children said that their parents limit their time on the internet.
Extra Optional Activity: Draw your perfect website
This question proved to be too adventurous as children did not understand it fully apart from one girl who had many ideas and sat down and drew this prototype website below. The drawing below shows some potentially great ideas in how the CBBC can engage their audience and not discourage participation.
Drawing above by Emily aged 8.
The plan of the website above shows a character that you can pick and modify as personalization seemed to be important for the children, as well as the CBBC brief. There are also different places to go and play games and talk to other people. This drawing could be apart of the solution to the CBBC question and although only one child drew a picture that was relevant this has outlined ideas adults may have disregarded.
After completing the first activity it was time to head into the computer suite where over two sessions 15 children came in and wet on the computer. While they were all on the computer the research took place as cards were made previously and notes where jotted down explaining what the children went on and how comfortable they were with using the computer.
Forms like the one above were filled in while the children played on the computer. By observing generally there seemed to be a few children who did not feel comfortable going on the computer along and sound it hard to find the website they were looking for but when the website they wanted was accessed for them they comfortably navigated around the website confidently.
The main points that were observed in the focus group was:
- All the children were trying to access personalised websites such as Moshi Monsters.
- All the children felt comfortable and confident using a computer.
- All the children had a computer at home or laptop and internet access.
- All the children love watching the CBBC channel.
- The children were quick to point out the log in button on the CBBC website.
- Many children were looking for extra content to their favourite shows.
Do you have a CBBC Account?
Below the bar chart sows that there are more children that dont have a CBBC account than those that do. During the focus group if a child said they did not have a CBBC account then they were questioned on why not and then showed the website to see if they would understand how to log in.
Why do you not have a CBBC account?
"I go on the website but I did not see where to log in."
"I prefer Moshi Monsters"
Above are some are the points that where mentioned and when the children admitted they did not have an account.
General Observation:
CBBC shows and Dr Who. If there could be a website that combines personalisation and games and watching TV on-line it would encourage children to participate in the CBBC website.
Reflection on the Research
Reflecting back on the research at the community centre there are certain aspects that could have been done better. The leader at the community centre had briefed us that the children would possibly have been more attracted to the other activities such as creating Christmas cards. Therefore, it was a surprise when the activity attracted the majority of the children and there were only 2 of us collecting data which proved to be hectic. Looking back, it would have been beneficial to bring along another person to help collect the results, however this could not be possible as a CRB check was essential to enter the community centre.
Also, The research method was designed to attract children's attention which is proved to do with the vivid colours and that fact it did not resemble a survey. However, it was a struggle to explain the activity as at one point there were 5 children around the table, therefore, collecting the data was much harder. Although, in the end, the rules were explained but on reflection it has highlighted how important it is to understand the audience being targeted.
While at the community centre a second method of research took place in the form of a focus group as the children played on the computer. This method proved to be a great tool as it gave us a chance to observe what the children did in a non-biased manner.
Reflecting back on the research at the community centre there are certain aspects that could have been done better. The leader at the community centre had briefed us that the children would possibly have been more attracted to the other activities such as creating Christmas cards. Therefore, it was a surprise when the activity attracted the majority of the children and there were only 2 of us collecting data which proved to be hectic. Looking back, it would have been beneficial to bring along another person to help collect the results, however this could not be possible as a CRB check was essential to enter the community centre.
Also, The research method was designed to attract children's attention which is proved to do with the vivid colours and that fact it did not resemble a survey. However, it was a struggle to explain the activity as at one point there were 5 children around the table, therefore, collecting the data was much harder. Although, in the end, the rules were explained but on reflection it has highlighted how important it is to understand the audience being targeted.
While at the community centre a second method of research took place in the form of a focus group as the children played on the computer. This method proved to be a great tool as it gave us a chance to observe what the children did in a non-biased manner.
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