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18 October 2011

It is the end of the year 2011... what is next for 2012?

Dear readers, it is the end of the school term already. In this blog, I have tried to post in real-time the design processes, classroom demonstrations and instructions of two levels of my classes for the year 2011.

Secondary 1 N(A) Coaster + Key-Tag project.
Students will find detailed instructions and explanations from the beginning to the end of their project. A good review of what has gone on in class. Usually posts are updated in the same day.

Students learned:
  • How to write a design situation focusing on a real need followed by a list of considerations, limitations and specifications.
  • How to generate ideas using random line works for the coaster project and shape borrowing for the dollar key-tag project. For both projects, students also learned to develop (refine) their ideas for that they looked proportional and aesthetically pleasing as a whole.
  • How to draw basic geometric and organic shapes using a 'random circle and lines technique' + converting 2-dimensional drawings to 3-dimensional drawing using the oblique drawing technique.
  • How to create a basic working drawing that makes up of a material list, an oblique drawing and a very simplified orthographic projection + dimensions.
  • How to mark out on acrylic and shape the product using tools to work acrylic.
  • How to realise and finish the product.

Secondary 3N(A) & 4N(A) Project: Innovative Storage & Storage Respectively.
Students will find writings, explanations, rationales, step-by-step processes, etc. on the major design process elements, i.e. topics on finding situations and needs, research techniques, idea generation and development skills, and even lots of tips on realization (making). Guides and instructions and demonstrations are uploaded almost right after class, Or at least within one or two days.

Facebook Engagement
The Facebook mrdanielsos@yahoo.com.sg was created for students to be able to reach me in real-time. Anytime. Anywhere. To ask questions, to clarify understandings, or even for any sort of requests related to Design & Technology. Through Facebook was also a good variety of posts on good and innovative products and videos on improving drawing skills and ideas communications.

I think there could also be students who are not in my class, and some even from other schools or countries who may have chanced upon this blog or your friends might have told you about this blog. I hope you have found the information useful and beneficial to you. And if you did benefit from my posts, please do leave me a note to tell me about that. And perhaps suggest what you would like to see more or less of.

What is next for 2012?
Once 2012 starts, it will be a start of a brand new cycle. I will not repeating my post by writing them again. Rather I will be revisiting relevant posts and update its contents along the way as I facilitate new classes in a brand new season. Contents will be reviewed and improved for better readability. Till then... have a great holiday.

Dollar Key Tag Project - Part 5 - Finishing- - En Route to Cutting the Coin Slot

Introducing 'Crabby'. 1N1 (almost completed) demo dollar keytag.

Introducing 'Froggy'. 1N2 (almost completed) demo dollar keytag.

Introducing a short Crabby & Froggy story.

'Once upon a time, there was a frog who was jealous of a crab who has many keys. One day while Crabby was sleeping, Froggy went up and snatched two of Crabby's keys. Awoken by the familiar sounds of his keys, Crabby jumped up immediately and gave a good chase. You can finish the story on your own. The end.'

The dollar key-tag is not finished yet. Because term 4 was so ridiculously short + lots of holidays for this year... students were only able to shape their keychain and bind the three layers together. Nevertheless, it still ends up a neat keychain.

Students would have learned that they could layer up acrylic on top of another to create a thicker piece of acrylic. Students also learn about the concept of color combinations since they have to put three layers together and the color should look right on their product. On top of that, students would have learned the following basic making skills: marking out, shaping using the scroll saw, filing using the various types of files, finishing the product using the wet-and-dry paper and polishing the edges with the buffing machine.

I'll be putting up some best design journals from students... so stay tuned...