St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School

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Values Project - Lesson Plan Title:

Formulating a Design Specification

Subject:
Design and Technology (Textiles)

Keywords:
Specification, Role Play

Resources:
Various Worksheets (see links below)

Year Group:
    10

Values:
Valuing Ourselves, Valuing Others, Stewardship, Forgiveness, Trust, Justice

Teaching and Learning Styles:
Group Role Play

Context in which the lesson is set During an "outdoor wear" design and make project. After analysis of the design brief, and research tasks, pupils need to generate a specification for their "outdoor wear" product.
What the lesson is about Encouraging an awareness of differing needs and wants in a design specification, and an understanding of the role of the specification and its importance in the design process.
Expected outcomes Groups will produce a design specification for a given brief, which acknowledges all the important criteria. They will appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of group discussion, personal reflection and how the needs of different people have to be accounted for in a design specification.
Details of Teacher and Pupil Activities

Before the lesson, pupils in the class are assigned to different groups, reflecting their strengths and weaknesses. In each group, the roles of observer, leader and other roles are assigned (for precise roles see later). Particularly important is the role of observer, who should be able to complete this task effectively.

At the beginning of the lesson pupils are divided into their pre-determined groups. The design specification role play sheet is given out and the task explained using the design specification worksheet. The groups can use the design specification check list to help them ensure that they fully complete the task. It is important here to emphasise the role of the Director as chair and the Production Manager as minute taker. The role-play scenarios which can be printed off and cut up, are then given to individuals within the group. They should not show these to each other, but may explain to each other who they are.

While the group members are studying their scenarios, the observers are taken to one side to have their role explained to them. They are given an observer record sheet.

Once everyone is prepared the role-play can begin. They should be reminded that each person may have different needs, and of the importance of listening to each other. They should be given 15 to 20 minutes to complete the task. During the discussion the groups should be monitored and supported, and time warnings given. Especially important is to ensure that observers are recording the activity.

Afterwards, observers may be asked to feed back to individual groups before bringing the class together. One group is then asked to give details of their final specification, and how they arrived at it. Other groups can then be asked to say how theirs differs from the original.

Observers should then feed back to the class about the dynamics of the groups, allowing the group members to add their ideas about how the groups worked together.

Finally the lesson is concluded by discussion of the important feelings generated by the activity, how the process of listening and working together can be improved, while remaining to true to their needs.

Extension Work Homework could be used to allow pupils further reflection on the positive and negative aspects of the role play activity.