Week 3 - The Design Cycle

The Design Cycle

 

The Design Cycle starts with an investigation of an issue or topic. The next step is to plan and design what you think will give you the product or outcome that you are looking for.  The next step is to create the product (or to put the plan that you have come up with into action). Finally, evaluate your process, determine whether or not it was a success and finally reflect on how or what you could have done differently to obtain a different outcome. 

 

 

 

 Photo credit - http://wmsmedia8.greenwich.wikispaces.net/The+Design+Cycle

 

Identifying the Problem -  As a teacher I would discuss how the problem relates to the area of building awareness of recycling, the short-term and long-term effects, who or what is affected by the problem, and how others are trying to solve this problem.
Design Brief – Before giving the design brief to students, have them brainstorm possible solutions for the problem. Therefore I would have the class discuss the pros and cons of each solution revolved around the topic of recycling.
Research – I would collect information from multiple sources allowing more evidence on my topic and involving students with the use of technology in a classroom.

Create – The students will follow the plan closely and modify the design or plan where necessary. A product of appropriate quality is produced through the competent use of a variety of tools.
Design Specification – I would provide a document containing details of the product's required characteristics, and all the processes, materials and other information needed to design the product. The design specification could include the following: Purpose, Aesthetics, Functional Characteristics, Form/Shape/Style, Safety, Scale of Production, User Requirements or Target Market, Budget Constraints and Materials, Time and Resources, Quality of Design, Product’s Performance, Product’s Price and Value for Money. The design specification should not limit the student’s ability to design possible solutions, but allow for versatility.
Designs Evaluation- As a teacher I would assess each possible solution against the design specification, where students should find a winning product that complies with the list of rules set in the design specification.

Modifications to Final Design – Sometimes not all criteria in the design specification are successfully met. By re-assessing the design, I would need to modify the design to ensure that every part of the design specification is provided.

References - Paek. L (2012) Retrieved from - http://henry.mpls.k12.mn.us/design_cycle

 

 

Concept map on my Design Project

 

 

 

Decision making Matrix

A decision matrix helps leaders evaluate and prioritize all of their options. This will help students make a decision by helping them take the subjectivity out of the decision that needs to be made by carefully weighing all of the factors and criteria that are used to make a final decision. Below is my Decision making matrix I have constructed for my design project where I have evaluated each design alternative within the criteria drawn from my early specifications.

 

 

After constructing a decision-making matrix, I have learnt that it would be very reliable and productive to use in a classroom when teaching a topic similar to this activity. I have never realised how important every detail of a project is and how one little component or error could impact on various issues throughout the lesson. As a teacher it is crucial to research and have a planned lesson before presenting it to the student's. Regardless of the format, all teachers need to make wise decisions about the strategies and methods they will employ to help students move systematically towards their goals. The more organized a teacher is, the more effective the teaching, and therefore the learning is. In this activity, it would be essential to reflect on the lessons daily to make sure everything is going to plan and if there are any adjustment that could be made to improve the lesson.

References - Rhalmi Mohammed, May 6, 2009 Retrieved from - http://www.myenglishpages.com/blog/why-do-teachers-need-lesson-plans/#.VTdFRdEcTIU