Jodie’s Design Challenge Journey (Assessment part A)

Wow, what a ride it has been. At the beginning of this assignment I found myself lost and very afraid that I wouldn't be able to complete it. I had nightmares of my lack of technology skills ending my dream of becoming a teacher. Four weeks later and how my feelings toward design challenges has changed.

Whilst working through the four steps of the design cycle, I have found myself being creative with design and using various technological devices and programs. Technology I would have never believed I could use, let alone use well. From this journey I have taken away many ideas and lessons that I will implement in my own classroom.

I have learnt that design challenges are a creative way of teaching design technologies. Children are given the chance to identify needs in their own world and create imaginative solutions. I feel that I will use the design cycle in the classroom as it easily shows students the four steps and what is entailed in each step. I also personally like the design cycle as it supports students in understanding that it’s acceptable to make mistakes and have to go back and forth between areas of the design cycle to create the most appropriate solution or product. I will use design challenges in my design technologies strand because it encourages students to ‘think outside the box’, a skill I feel is needed for modern learners.

When stepping through each area of the design cycle I found my thinking changed and became more creative and technical. I also found that with each stage the work load become less. I put both these observations down to the previous amounts of work done in each prior stage. For example creating the prototype was quite easy as I had done all the previous planning which had stemmed from the investigation stage. When completing each step of the design cycle I felt a great sense of accomplishment and I feel this would be very beneficial for students.

When completing the design challenge I found myself acknowledging two personal weaknesses. The first being using the different technologies such as the blog and wiki. I had never had any previous experience with these sites and at first the idea of navigating them seemed very daunting. Though throughout the process and with guidance from Heather and my peers, I found myself using them quiet efficiently. I have really enjoyed using both the wiki and blog and can see myself using them with my students. For younger grades possibly in group learning situations and for older students as personal journals for their learning experiences.

The second weakness I had to address was my sometimes limited ability to partake in innovative thinking. I’m not the most creative person and at times I felt myself pushed to ‘think outside of the box’. I found researching products that already existed really helped with getting the mind going. I can also see how this would challenge some students and that if I was doing a design challenge in class that some students may need a little bit extra motivation or ideation stimulus.

Whilst completing the design challenge I found clear links to Lewis’s (see blog post re: summarising key ideas) reading on creativity (2008). I understand how design challenges can foster this in children. From fact  the challenges may be determined by criteria; however the outcome or solutions can be very varied and creative.

I understand fully why participating first hand in a design challenge will help when teaching our students the design technologies strand. I as a teacher was able to experience and work with the design process and cycle first hand, giving me an idea at what my students will go through when they complete their own challenges. I can know also understand the benefits and challenges that my students may experience as I have experience my own personal journey.

The peer feedback process was both challenging and rewarding. I was really lucky to work with some very accomplished ladies who had brilliant ideas and presented this ideas professionally using the wiki. I enjoyed reading everyone’s ideas, and felt that by working alongside these ladies helped my own journey as well. I did find it hard to be critical in this feedback process as my teammates work was at a very high standard. I felt that my own feedback I received made me alter a few elements of the challenge. I found the use of the wiki supported the feedback process as it may it easy to access my team mate’s work.

Overall I have thoroughly enjoyed the design cycle journey and have already began to mind-map ideas that I may hopefully put into place for my own students to support the design technology curriculum.