The Power of Design Guidebook

Volunteer / Teacher Guidebook

THE POWER OF DESIGN

THE POWER OF DESIGN

THE POWER OF DESIGN

Materials - This section lists the materials needed for the activity.

This workshop introduces primary and secondary school students to the use of design as a tool for positive change

Presentation - This detailed guidebook guides volunteers through each activity and discussion, ensuring a smooth workshop.

PROGRAMME MATERIALS Each kit contains the materials you need to successfully conduct the workshop. Please review all of the materials. Please contact your local Junior Achievement office if your kit is incomplete or if you need additional materials.

Summary and Review - Volunteers are encouraged to emphasise objectives before concluding each activity.

Presentation Outline - An outline follows the detailed activity plan to encourage volunteers to add personal notes while accomplishing the activity’s objectives.

GUIDE FOR VOLUNTEERS AND TEACHERS Each kit contains two guides. The guide’s features are designed to keep your preparation time to a minimum.

CERTIFICATES Certificates of Achievement for the students have been included in the kit to recognise their participation in the workshop. Ask for an up-todate class list from the teacher in order to complete the certificates. Please make sure you have signed each certificate and correctly spelled each student’s name.

Plan with the teacher for the most effective way to distribute the certificates, and encourage the students to show them to their families.

Background - These pages summarise the core concepts presented in the activities.

Master List of Materials - For your convenience, a master list of materials is provided.

ACTIVITY PLANS Overview - A summary of the activity is provided for volunteers and teachers.

PREPARING FOR CLASS Discuss your programme objectives with the teacher, and ask him or her about activities the students most enjoy,their general abilities, and suggestions for classroom management.

Objectives - Learning outcomes state the skills and knowledge the students will gain from each activity.

Preparation - Advice on preparing for each activity is provided here.

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It’s true times might have changed since you were in school, and so have the students. But not as much as you might think! If you take a few moments to answer these questions, you

THE POWER OF DESIGN

will be well on your way to understanding many of the students in your class.

While you are visiting the classroom, take note of the following:

◆ How many students are there? Knowing this will help you decide how to divide the class into small groups.

◆ How does the teacher encourage orderly participation? For example, do the students raise their hands? How does the teacher handle interruptions?

◆ What does the teacher do to make each student feel important and at ease? Is there anything you would do differently?

is one good reason for you to approach the students with sincerity and respect. Learn their names, and compliment them to encourage their participation. If permitted, award prizes such as sweets or novelty items imprinted with your company logo. Finally, relate the activities to the students.

ASK THE TEACHER ✔

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◆ Does the classroom have a clock, or will you need to bring a watch?

◆ Where can you display visuals? Will you need tape or pins to display them?

◆ How is the room arranged? Will you need to move desks or chairs for any part of your workshop?

◆ Will you be able to count on the Teacher’s help? Do you see any potential problems with your presentation or with the class?

Try to discuss your observations with the teacher.

The most striking aspect of your class will be the wide variation in student ability, maturity level and interests. In fact, you will quickly discover that your students have critical social, personal, and academic needs. That 2

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to give you feedback on how to communicate effectively with the class.

to stay in the classroom during your work shop to assist and discipline the students, when needed.

to explain school policies and communicate any schedule or calendar changes to you. (Be sure to exchange phone numbers should either of you need to contact the other outside of class). to help you set up the equipment to play the Shape film.

THE POWER OF DESIGN

Overview

This workshop introduces primary and secondary school students to the use of design as a tool for positive change.

Objectives:

The students will: ◆ Consider how the world around us is made ◆ Understand where design fits in ◆ Learn about careers in design

◆ Explore what they would do if they had the power to make their world work better.

This workshop is based around a short film that shows changes that we might not normally notice and how these affect us and the world around us. It aims to promote wider awareness and acceptance of design as a tool for positive change.

Preparation

Review the shape short film and http://www.makeshapechange.com to help you prepare.

Prepare your introduction and what you would like to tell students about your career to date.

Consider how you will set the context for the workshop.

Recommended Time 150-180 minutes

Master List of Materials

Think Design

• 2 Volunteer/Teacher guidebook • 32 Name plates (1 per student) • 32 Certificates of Achievement (1 per student) • 32 Student Questionnaires (1 per student)

• ‘Shape’ film • 6 Think design brainstorming worksheets (1 per group)

A Career in Design

• 32 Career interest inventory worksheets (1 per student)

What is Design?

• 6 A world without design posters (1 per group)

Design Challenge

• 6 Craft Kits (1 per group) 3

THE POWER OF DESIGN

PRESENTATION

Introduction Getting to know you Introduction Time: 10mins

Greet the students. Tell them your name, briefly describe your job and provide some information about your background. Explain that you are a volunteer with Junior Achievement.

You may choose a student or two to help hand out the name plates - ask students to clearly write their names on them for you. Explain that this workshop will consider how the world around us is made. Explain that together you will explore how design fits in and explain that the students will have the chance to decide what they would do if they had the power to make their world work better.

Activity Time : 20 mins

Activity 1

What is Design?

Activity Overview In this context setting activity, students will work together in small groups to consider what they think of ‘design’; students will describe a world without design.

Objectives

Students will: ◆ Consider their understanding of design ◆ Describe a world without design

Materials

◆ 6 A world without design posters (1 per group) ◆ Pens/Pencils (not included) ◆ 32 Name plates (1 per student)

Divide the students into groups of 5-6 students. It may be worthwhile asking the teacher to help you to divide the students into their groups.

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THE POWER OF DESIGN Begin by asking the students what they think of when you say design/designer, or simply ask students - what is design?

Ask students if and how design impacts our lives and how they think it impacts the world around us - school, workplaces, houses, neighbourhood, town, city? You might choose to capture some answers on the board.

Using only adjectives (or describing words) ask the students to look around them and to imagine what their classroom would look like without any emphasis on design.

Task each group to complete the ‘A World Without Design’ poster with as many adjectives they can think of. Call time and ask each group to stand (or to come to the top of the classroom) to share their ideas with the class. Groups may choose to nominate a spokesperson to share their descriptors. If time allows ask each group in turn to share their adjectives. Take note (on the board if you wish) of the adjectives mentioned most often, ideas may include adjectives such as dull, boring, uncomfortable. Discuss the ideas presented and challenge some ideas presented as necessary and time allowing.

Activity Time: 30mins

Activity 2

Think Design

Activity Overview During this activity students watch the ‘Shape’ film; students will reflect on the film by completing the design brainstorming worksheet in small teams.

Objectives

Students will: ◆ Watch the shape film ◆ Reflect and share their opinions on different aspects of the film

Materials

◆ 6 A world without design posters (1 per group) ◆ Pens/Pencils (not included)

Before playing the film, explain that a lot of good design is almost invisible. Tell the students that it is often only noticeable when it doesn’t work. Ask the students to pay attention to the short film you are going to play for them, ask them to watch closely as you will be asking some questions.

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THE POWER OF DESIGN

Play the ‘shape’ film (6.37 mins)

Call on individual students to share their opinions, ask them to tell you what they think of the film, what do they like about it ask students what pieces stand out for them – why?

The students will work together in small groups using one think design brainstorming worksheet per group, ask for a volunteer(s) in the class to hand out the worksheets for you.

In their groups, students will consider their answers to some of the questions posed by the film.

Before handing out the think design brainstorming worksheets you may decide to play the film a second time. Feel free to move from group to group to give assistance, challenge ideas and share your experiences.

Call on each group to answer one of the questions on their worksheet.

Eg:

✔ Which parts of your local community do you think work well and which do you wish worked better? Why?

✔ How does your local area feel different from your grandparent's, friend's or cousin's?

What are the things that make it feel different?

✔ What's your favourite place in your class/home/environment and why do you like it so much?

✔ How many examples of information design can you find in the classroom? What works best? ✔ How much technology do you use in an ordinary day? Now try to imagine how your day might be without being able to use those things.

✔ When was the last time you got a new piece of technology? Did it take you long to understand how it worked? What was the trickiest part?

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THE POWER OF DESIGN Activity Time: 30mins

Activity 3

A Career in Design

Activity Overview In this activity each student completes a career interest inventory; a career in design discussion follows, to explore students career aspirations and knowledge of the careers available in design.

Objectives

Students will ◆ Become aware of careers in design ◆ Explore what careers in design most interest them

Materials

◆ Career Interest Inventory (1per student) ◆ Pens/Pencils (not included)

Ask students what they would like to do when they leave school? Call on some students to share their aspirations.

Discuss your own career path, chosen field of study and background in more detail. Ask students if they have ever considered a career in design?

As an individual exercise students complete a career interest inventory choosing statements they feel strongest about from the list – students will discover what type of design career might suit them.

Ask students how many jobs in design are they aware of?

Ask the students what skills they think you might need to have to have a career in design, what do they think they might need to be good at? Create a list on the board.

Refer students to the website www.makeshapechange and highlight some jobs in the design world.

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THE POWER OF DESIGN

Activity 4

Activity Time: 60mins

Design Challenge

Activity Overview During this hands-on activity students will work in small groups to become designers.

Objectives

Students will Get creative and become designers Create their own design in small groups

Materials

Craft Kit (one per group)

Design Brief Ask students to think about their journey to school today ✒ Using the art materials provided students should use design to make the journey to school a better experience. Students could consider any element/design which would enhance their journey. Remind students of the vast array of elements they could consider: History Spaces Communications

Homes Experiences Technology

Information Objects Communities

Explain to the students that they can design anything at all - from design ideas to reduce litter, to improving public spaces. Each group will present their design concept and design to the class explaining how it would enhance the journey to school.

The sky’s the limit!

Summary and Review

In this short review, wrap up and close students share their key learnings from the workshop and complete the post workshop questionnaire.

Summary and Review Time :15 mins

To reinforce learning leave the students with a question to discuss at home: use a question from make shape change that interests you or is relevant to your job in design. eg: How do you listen to music? Request that students ask whoever’s at home how they listened to music when they were young? Share with students what you enjoyed about the workshop/visit to their school. Praise the students for working hard during the workshop. Ask students to complete the workshop questionnaire and thank them for their participation.

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