education communication system

initial research

At first, I explored several directions and areas of interests that I thought had a lot of potential for improvement. These included the areas of outdoor social retreat, child obesity, and education. After exploring these topics, I stumbled upon an area that I felt had alot of potential - primary education. I then proceeded to dissect and analyze the many issues and problems surrounding primary education, eventually leading me to ideas and potential solutions.

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children 9-13

primary educationarea of interest :

Defining:

topic

opportunity

needs

users

Refinement of idea to final

solution

Issues

to

problem(s)

Evidence of Problemsinsights ideas

Problems to concepts

research

extensive exploration and analysis into my area of interest, primary education, was done in order to determine the issues and problems that need to be solved.

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This graphic represents my thought process in determining and breaking down

opportunities, needs, users, issues, problems, and evidence.

research at a glance.

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topic Improving the primary education / elementary school experience for teachers, parent, & students.

What about primary education ?

opportunity Primary education has much to improve in terms of how our schools are run, structured, and taught. Our education is at, and at some cases below that of other equally developed countries.

Why primary education?

userThe audience being affected will be students ages 6-12, parents, and teachers. The primary consumers will potentially be schools, teachers, & parents

needs Improvement and enhancement of educational experienceImprovement of the understanding of languageImprovement of communication between parent, teacher, student, peers.

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basics

A few of the basic questions needed to be answered, narrowing down more specifically what I wanted to tackle.

parent-studentparent-teacher

student-studentstudent-teacher

( home )

( school )

issues

Parents approach school with a defensive or angry attitude

Teachers have different thought process / method than parent

Parents feel uncomfortable talking with teacher

language / cultural barriers

Failure to make the first move

Not communication /talking early enough

Failure to communicate regularly

Failure to follow-thru on actions

Intimidation & shyness

Race & gender differences/ impact

Effectiveness of instructing

Student teacher ratio

Lack of interest

Fitting in

Motivation

Making friends

Common etiquette

Proper values

Relevance

Bullying

Confidence

High expectations put on girls to be good at everything

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insights

Kids who’s parents talk to the teacher more, do better at school.

Teachers are like second parents to child.

Parents should approach teachers cooperatively.

Tackle problems early!

It is beneficial for the parent to be friends or in good standing with the teacher.

Good student-teacher relationship= good parent-teacher relationship.

Parent-school relationships:

Expectations of both parties should be communicated

Mutual communications of responsibilities

School’s involvement in the community is very important

Parents should approach school and teacher(s) with the questions “ Whats the plan? What can I do at home?”

Through conducting interviews and research key insights were discovered, that lead me to further refine guidelines and direction.

quotes:

Sources :

“Key Issues for Primary Schools” by Michael FarrellInterview with Adina Davidson, Phd.on 9.14. 2010

“Effective Parent-Teacher Communication” - Center for Effective Parenting 2000 Mark C. Edwards, Ph.D.

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issue(s)

problem(s)

Lack of confidence, self-awareness ofprogress, understanding, and interactionbetween students.

Lack of differentiation of teaching styles forgirls and boys, as well as communication ofexpectations.

( relating to student experience )

Lack of communication about teachingmethods, strategies, and cultural context, aswell as the communication of child progressand assignments on a regular basis

Lack of effective communication of teachingmethods, strategies, requirement, andrelevance to both the student and parent.

Lack of the promotion and understanding of assembling, scheduling, planning parent-teacher interaction, such as event, visits, and conversations, in a timely manner.

( relating to parent-teacher communication)

issue(s)

concept maps

After much research, I found that opportunities for

solving this problem lied in designing a physical object

that traveled back and forth from home to school.

problem to object.

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refinement.

The chosen direction of the book-like object was then analyzed, developed and refined in both 2-d and 3-d. Scale studies, material samples, CAD sketching.

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scale models.

In order to get a grasp on the scale of the device, foam core mock-ups were constructed of various lengths and depths.

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book 1 6” W x 6” L x 3/4” D

book 2 6 1/2” W x 8 1/4” L x 1 1/2” D

book 36 1/4” W x 10” L x 1” D

Industrial F-2 1/4” Felt & canvas Black craft felt & paper Black canvas with stitched edges grey & green felt, Velcro

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book cover and feel.

Mock-ups were constructed from various materials and fabrics that had a soft, natural feel to them. Such materials included canvas and different types of felt.

grey & green felt, Velcro

After getting into CAD 3-d modeling, I realized my solution did not quite

take to appropriate form and visual language that was desired. I then went

back and thought about much more inviting and playful forms, which I

continued to ideate and refine through drawing and modeling.

re-think.

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CAD form development.

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finessing the form.

education communication system

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Lingo is a digital interface system that puts parent, teacher,

and child better in touch with one another. Lingo is a

solution to problems with homework, assignments, and

communication of important information that is vital to a

child’s success.

The Lingo system is also an alternative to large and

cumbersome textbooks. It allows the student to bring school

home with them, bridging the gap between home and school.

Lingo’s physical appearance is one of a book. The first encounters with the device involve

the interaction with a warm, soft, and inviting manageably-sized object.

When Lingo is opened, one encounters two sides. On one side, a small pocket made of

soft warm felt for the storing of small notes, pens, and accessories. On the other, a fun,

colorful device, who’s form has a unique character and simplicity to it.

first encounters.

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features.

The inside of the cover incorporates a fabric bumper that runs along the three sides of the cover that allows the main interface to be protected when closed.

The corner of the interface sticks out of the main form when closed, allowing for the unit to be carried by its corner, as well as adding interest.

The inside pocket allows for storage of the usb power cable as well as small notes, pens, and pencils.

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7.25”

4.5” .3”

dimensions.

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13”

10 1/2”

8”

5.25” (closed)

exploded view.

A very basic breakdown of the main pieces, without technical components.

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front cover

corner piece

screen

pc board

speaker

battery

back cover

fabric hardcover

felt pocket

felt bumper

mini usb port

power button

The power button is conveniently located on the top of the

device. It is also the only button on the device, making it

simpler and easier to find.

The device is charged via mini usb to usb or power outlet, the

port located on the left side of the device, allowing for it to be

charged while closed.

The speaker for the device is located on the lower right corner.

The shape of the speaker holes hints at the logo for the product,

a symbol for three entities (parent, teacher, and student) coming

together.

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customize!

Students can draw on and customize their own covers in order to make it their own. The covers are replaced every year, much like disposable textbook cover protectors.

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power on.

When Lingo is powered on, it displays a simple,

straight-forward interface that is both playful and

familiar.

welcome to

please enter the following information:

name:

grade:

age:

gender:

please enter the following information:

name:

grade:

age:

gender:gender:

Hi Tim,What is your favorite color?

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interface.

welcome to

please enter the following information:

name:

grade:

age:

gender:

please enter the following information:

name:

grade:

age:

gender:gender:

Hi Tim,What is your favorite color?

When the child first turns on the device, they are prompted to enter personal info, as well as customize the color scheme and theme of their interface.

Selecting and scrolling is easy and familiar to

existing touch screen devices.

Students can customize their own color

backgrounds and themes.

make it your own.

welcome towelcome towelcome to

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battery indication Wi Fi signal new message waiting

new chat thread waiting

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assignment s

dates

progress

science

11/6 - Read chapter 6

11/7- Read chapter 7, complete questions 1-5

11/8- Completephotosynthesis workshee t

science- assignment s

What is the main bypr oduct from photosynthesis?

question 1

question 2

11/16 quiz on plants

11/20 group project du e

12/1 science fair p rojectdue

science- dates

ueue

Quiz on 11/1 6

Remember to studyfor the quiz on the 16th. The quiz will consist of material from chapters 4-7 .

note to parents

Each assignment and important date is

checked off as its completed.

The calendar function shows the academic school year laid out. The calendar

combines information from important dates from classes as well as assignments to

display on a day to day basis. This makes students more organized and more aware of

what is going on in their classes.

academic calendar.

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main menu:

classes

calender

curriculum

messages

parents/ guar dians

settings

ansannn

academic calendar

November 2010

early release daymath project duescience quiz

curriculum

Choose a subject:

Math

English

Science

Social studies

main menu:

classes

calender

curriculum

messages

rents/ guar dians

settings

m

rdians

m

rdipa

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curriculum

progress

(Were are we?)

benchmarks

(were are we heading?)

curriculum- math benchmark s

N.5.1 Understand that every natural

number can be written as a product of

prime numbers in only one way (apart

from order).

a. Extend knowledge of prime and

composite numbers up to 100.

b. Decompose composite numbers into

products of factors in different ways and

identify which of these combinations are

products of prime factors.

N.5.2 Know how to divide whole numbers.

curriculum- progress

this week:

Benchmarks

N.5.1, N.5.2, N.5.3

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

The curriculum can be viewed for each subject. Lingo

also displays each classes progress in covering the

designated requirements for each class.

curriculum info.

main menu:

classes

calender

curriculum

messages

parents/ guar dians

settings

ardiansardians

messages

parent

student

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messages- parent

enter passwo rdmessages- parent

inbox

sent

trash

Re: Meeting r equest

Homework incomplete on...

Schedule for Dec...

Open House this Friday at 7...

Permission slip for field trip ...

Take home test

Hello, Welcome to Lingo, ...

11/ 3

Lingo incorporates a messaging system between

parent and teacher that can be accessed both on the

device and online.

messaging.

main menu:

classes

calender

curriculum

messages

parents/ guar dians

settings

diandians

parents

enter passwo rd

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parents menu:

discussion

child p rogress

grade reports

parent-teacher discussion

teacher:

Your child is doing gr eat! I

will be sending the

progress report home

shortly.

parent :

Thank you! Im looking

forwar d to meeting with

you on the 24th .

Parents and teachers can also engage in private

discussions, were more shorthand conversations can take

place.

chat discussions.

main menu:

classes

calender

curriculum

messages

parents/ guar dians

settings

diandians

parents

enter passwo rd

parents menu:

discussion

child p

grade r

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parents menu:

discussion

child p rogress

grade reports

choose a subject :

math

english

social studies

sciencencnc

science- overall pr ogress

note to parents

Total GPA : 3.5

Quiz on 10/20In-class on 10/25HW on 10/3 0HW on 11/0 3HW on 11/1 5

ABBAA

Parents can view individual grade reports for each class

that are updated biweekly

up to date grades.

main menu:

classes

calender

curriculum

messages

parents/ guar dians

settings

choose a subject:

display settingsuser infoparent passcode

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display settings:

color /themestext sizebrightnesssleep mode settings

cdisplay settings- text size

A A A A A

display settings- brightnessdisplay settings- sleep settings

1 minute3 minutes5 minutes10 minutes30 minutes

significance.

Lingo addresses the problems associated with lack of communication between parent, teacher and student, assignments, child progress, and expectations. It establishes a stronger connection between parent and teacher by assisting them in improving their communication. Lingo helps better connect home and school, making the educational experience better for parent, student, and teacher.

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thank you.