MAKE D.TECH
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a look at our processTake a look at some of the things that we did as a part of this challenge and see what we worked on.
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Our Process
Interviews and "How might we..." [empathy work]The first thing we did for this design challenge was empathy work. To do this, we first interviewed people. Then, we individually separated the information from the interviews into our observations and interpretations using a T-chart. We presented those as a group, decided on an end-user, and created a point of view statement for that end-user. Then, we reworked that POV statement into a “How Might We” statement. Our "How Might We" statement was, "How might we create a way for Melissa, the kind, respectful English teacher create a more positive learning environment for her students?" Once we had completed that, we were able to move on to the next part of the process: brainstorming.
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brainstormingFor this challenge, we brainstormed a total of two times. The first time, we brainstormed freely, without regard for monetary limitations or any limitations in general, really. Then we brainstormed again, looking for low-res solutions to the problem. Eventually, we decided on a project that we felt would best answer our "How might we...?" statement. Our decision was to find a way to rearrange the classroom in order to create the best learning environment possible, and then, we moved on to prototyping.
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PROTOTYPing
![Picture](/uploads/5/8/8/3/58838995/1452035075.png?250)
Prototype #1
Our first prototype consisted of paper, styrofoam, and a lot of masking tape. It wasn't the most functional prototype ever, but it gout our idea across. The chairs and tables were made out of styrofoam and tape, and so they were very small and light but could still be stuck to the paper box. They were also very east to arrange and rearrange.
Our first prototype consisted of paper, styrofoam, and a lot of masking tape. It wasn't the most functional prototype ever, but it gout our idea across. The chairs and tables were made out of styrofoam and tape, and so they were very small and light but could still be stuck to the paper box. They were also very east to arrange and rearrange.
Prototype #2
Our second prototype was also made out paper, styrofoam, and lots of masking tape, with the addition of some light wood making up some sturdier chairs. This prototype really built off of our previous prototype. We used the same box and many of the same chairs and tables. Basically, it was a neater and more realistic (in the number of chairs) version of Prototype #1. |
Prototype #3 and Testing
Prototype #3
For our third prototype, we used masking tape to mark out an area on the floor of the hanger approximately the same size as Melissa's classroom. We then took folding chairs and arranged them in our proposed design.
Testing
After we had arranged the chairs and set up the "Classroom," we asked Melissa to come out and test it. She was able to provide us with valuable feedback, such as the fact that she thought that the Teacher's Desk was too central, and that she would like to be more removed to create more of a sense of equality.
For our third prototype, we used masking tape to mark out an area on the floor of the hanger approximately the same size as Melissa's classroom. We then took folding chairs and arranged them in our proposed design.
Testing
After we had arranged the chairs and set up the "Classroom," we asked Melissa to come out and test it. She was able to provide us with valuable feedback, such as the fact that she thought that the Teacher's Desk was too central, and that she would like to be more removed to create more of a sense of equality.
Presentation
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What we learned
I think that one of the most important things we learned from this design challenge was that your ideas won't always work out. Sometimes your first idea isn't your best idea, and then it's okay to go back and start over. In the end, our design just wasn't what Melissa needed. We did, however, succeed in working together as a team. Our teamwork really improved over the course of this design challenge.
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