Design and research goals: Exploring interaction Jantien Doolaard

Design goal: I want families with children (8-13) living in a village to feel more responsible for the next life of products and materials Intentions First we have to gain information of the parents and teachers, so we know how we can approach the children and how we get a lot of inspiration and response of them. The second step is to check if the parents and teachers are right about their children and their interactions.

Design and research exploration

Research questions: How does the daily life routine of the selected target group looks like? What is the current interaction between children, parents and products while throwing things away or giving old products a next life? What educational methods do parents and teachers use to make children feel responsible? What is interesting or valuable according to children? What kind of interaction takes place between children and their role models?

Design and research activities

Teachers Participants: Two women approximately 22 years old, one of them teaches young children (6-7 years old) the other one teaches children at an age of 10-12 years old. After we did the preparation of the interviews and the context mapping, we went to the teachers to ask the questions mentioned above. This went actually very well, a lot of information and information came out. They really liked to talk about the children and how they act. Interview questions 1. What kind of methods do you use to motivate or interest the children? 2. At what age should you make children aware of sustainable living? 3. What kind of actions youve seen could indicate childrens perspective of responsibility? a. Do you use specific tools or materials for this? e.g. they care about each other when someone is sick 4. Do they have role models? What kind of things imitate the children? 5. What kind of influence do role models have on children? Who are they? 6. Which option will give us some information for our research and which one will the children like the most? a. Let them fill in a working sheet with some questions b. Collage making; which products doe they use and do they dwell on the sustainability or throw away products process.

c. Record a movie with the children and ask them about the last thing they thrown away and why? And what kind of products they would never throw away. d. Show some old products (for example lamps or telephones) and ask for the interaction which comes into their minds: i. Throw away ii. Keep iii. Give away or sell iv. Use v. Destroy Parents Participants: Two mothers participated for this research, both households have three children (all boys or girls). We didnt know how the parents would react on the assignment (draw a floor plan of your house). They drew some vague drawings but it was a good way to let them tell about their daily life and which role the children have in their lives. One of the mothers I interviewed was less talkative then the other, so I had to react on this in short time so the conversation should continue. Interview questions 1. Can you tell something about your daily life? 2. Which room do you spend most time (children)? What kind of activities? Difference between weekend / weekdays? 3. Which materials do you use a lot? (most garbage) 4. What do the children know about sustainability? 5. Who decides if something is old or should be thrown away?

6. What method do you use to educate your children? Give us an example.

Children Participants: During this workshop 3 sisters participated (7, 9, 12 years old). We wanted to compare the results of the parents and (their) children. The workshop with the children was prepared very well. We didnt know if the children would like it. We made a variety of assignment so it would be interesting for them. For example showed some pictures and asked what action they would choose and what kind of emotions they had while using or cleaning (action) this product. Who are the role models? Show their rooms to show what products they (dont) like and (dont) use. The preparation took a lot of time, but the children liked it a lot and were inspired to tell their stories. (In the appendix you can find the whole workshop). Interview questions 1. Imagine you find/get a .. what should you do with it? a. Choose a robot (emotion) and an action 2. Which products would you never throw away (mention 3)? Show two products which you actually dont use at all but still keep. 3. Which pen or booklet do they like the most and why? 4. Can you draw the activity which you really like to do (looking forward to it whole week)? 5. If you could spend a whole day with one or two persons, who would you take with you and what are your activities?

Results Parents
Daily life routine - Storage is an important understanding. A computer is a nice solution; less paper is used Fact about (childrens) perspective or awareness of sustainable living and responsibility - Garbage separation is an important part of their lives (batteries, clothes, glass, plastics and general). In this case the parents are role model for the children (they have to act as they say, otherwise wrong imitation). - Things which arent used anymore are going to the 2nd hand shop - As long products can fulfil their function, they are saved by the parents. Buying new products isnt necessary. Parents educational method / Interactions between children and parents - The explanation why parents do things and showing this is the most important thing (kids from their kids and money). -

Twice a year the mother takes a look with the children at the toys they have, can they give it to others who are happier with it? (2nd hand store) o Shoe-box-action, these boxes are going to other countries where poor children live. Laura (12) isnt aware/nonchalant of the separation of garbage The older boy is judged for actions because he is the role model for the younger one. The older brother (child) shows the younger one how he has to separate garbage etc. According to children the teacher is the role model, the children are critical about parents.

General - Rubbish box; You can put as many toys in it as you want, but the cover has to be closed if the box is stored. So if they want to buy something new, the boys have to remove something else and sell that or give it away. Maybe girlish? - Children dont think about flattening a paper box

Separate garbage should be a habit, like brushing your teeth. Give away: o Children give old clothes to other children (classmates) 4

Teachers
Childrens value/perspective - Creative courses or group work is interesting for children. - You can teach children about sustainability at a young age, but give examples on their level and in their perception - The role models of the children are the parents, teachers and older classmates. Methods to teach children - Have a group discussion about the subject or a subject related to the theme. By giving examples (movies), children become more aware of things and teachers stimulate them. - Talk about a subject and wait on the response from the children. - Responsible teaching: the children have to take care of something, for example seeds in spring or caterpillars in an aquarium. - Golden rule:

Children
Know what children think is valuable / How do think of old products - Products have value if o The children can connect it with a memory or a friend. o The product is created by their own; they are proud of it/ want to show it. - Children of 12 years old are aware of the world around them, if they already have a bike and I would offer them one, they would sell it or give it to someone who can use it. (younger sisters (7-9) would use it) - The children we spoke (7-12 years old) were using products until they werent useably anymore - Most of the valuable products children own, are bought by their selves or were presents from a birthday party (specific present asked) - Rozemarijn and Laura are more aware of their appearance (products in this category become more important).

According to these girls the notebook with the most images and colours was most valuable If they use something every day (like a pen or a normal notebook) they think it is boring, not valuable although they would use it. 5

General; - If they have to pick someone to do a day activity they decide to go out with their friends - The girls have a creative attitude - The oldest girls were imitating each other, the youngest one drew or told her own stories. - The girls helped each other during the workshops (origami and showing rooms) - Weekend is an important part of the week, they dont like school (school = boring, not for fun)

Conclusions
Intentions review The information the parents gave, was approximately the same as the children came up with during the context mapping. Although the content was the same, the point of view is different. Children look to the world in a exploring and more playful way. Research questions: How does the daily life routine of the selected target group looks like? The room which is used very often is the kitchen, at that place the most trash is created as well. Parents show, explain, learn their children how to handle in several situations. What is the current interaction between children, parents and products while throwing things away or giving old products a next life? The children are aware of the separation of garbage and giving a second life to them. The only problem is that they dont know why they have to separate it. Parents tell them about the sustainability by giving examples/show about water use, the money value, other children in poor countries or the future generations, that is something the children can understand. What educational methods do parents and teachers use to make children feel responsible?

Role playing, to generate an overview of the situation (well known one) and connect this with the learning goal. Use the rubbish box. What is interesting or valuable according to children? Things have value when children can reference to memories, birthday parties or other creative activities. Children like colourful things, gets more attention The product is created by their own; they are proud of it/ want to show it. What kind of interaction takes place between children and their role models? Children support each other during the lessons, if someones naughty the others will follow his lead. Role model are parents, teachers and older children at primary school Recycle with children, they know a lot more then they know! They follow the role model but actually dont know why? (invent some ideas) Additional learnings Positive way, children are motivated if they like the subject. In the age of 8-13, the children think that friends are very valuable. There is a difference between boys and girls Children dont like school (Boring) Children like to exchange things with each other (friends) this way they show that they like the other person.

The children want to feel more responsible by checking out situations on their own. Give some examples which belong in childrens perspective of living. 7

Insights: I can use the method of personalization because that will have a long-term value, but maybe that isnt a good solution because we dont want that children store everything and never waste something again. We want to make them aware of the value of the old product and let them live a next life. Social is one of the words used in my interaction vision, so it would be better if I would create something which belongs in a classroom (more children to interact with). Make each other aware of using old products and give them a next life (EXCHANGE) A result should be shown because otherwise it is difficult to understand why children have to do things. Children should take the lead while using the product. It should create a positive feeling, children learn more from that. The product has to support the children to talk about the problem and learn from each other.

Appendix
Context mapping children (21-10-2012) Laura (L) is the oldest one (12 years old), Rozemarijn (R) is 9 years old and Julia (J) is 7 years old. Emotions

Part 1
Product Emotions R: 1 L:1 J:1 Action Use Comments Can do a lot with it, it is handy, doesnt have a mobile phone so she likes it anyway She likes that she can text and have contacts with friends Also wants to have a mobile phone, to play games and to make calls with Nice Shoes, but they are very dirty, I would clean them. I wouldnt throw them away, because I like them (keep) She thinks she would also clean them and want to make them more beautiful by adding some materials. They are very dirty, if I cant clean them; throw away otherwise keep them Boring, just a pen. I would use it because pens are handy to use at school. She wouldnt do a lot with it, but she would use it Its a boring product Its a bicycle, but I dont think it is a beautiful bike. I would give it to other people who are poor or sell it (sounds a little bit selfish according to her) She would use it and keep the other one (she already has one, then she can chose Add some things to make the bicycle different

L:8

Clean

R:7

Clean, pimp Clean / throw away

1 Cheerful

2 Relaxed

3 Excited

4 Attention
J:10

5 calm

6 Neutral

7 Sad

8 Bored

L:8 R:6 J:7 L:7

Use

Give away

9 Tense

10 Irritated

J:1 R:4

Use Pimp and use

R:8 L:3 J:10

Throw away Create something Throw away

J:1 L:10

Use it Re-use

R: 2

Create

R:7 L:2 J:7

Use (eat) Give away Eat it

It isnt interesting, I wouldnt use it. Laura likes cola and she likes the cap so I would create something new, collect or create I would throw it way, I dont know what to do with it. (angry robot because she didnt know what other picture she should pick) When she is thirsty it is comfortable to have it, and also if I have a cold I use it a lot, re-use Angry man because you can use water from the crane, but you can re-use it (lemonade, water) Wouldnt buy new bottle, bad for environment or create something. Rozemarijn would create something, she has seen that some people made a filter of a bottle on television, so she wants to try that. Filter water from the river I would eat it or give it to ducks (with some friends) Ducks, and eat it because she likes it, thats why she choose that robot Bread is boring

L:9

Re-create something new Use

J,R:2

Doubting robot because it is a nice shirt but I wouldnt wear it, make it more hip and be creative and wear it then Wear it, it is a nice t-shirt They wouldnt buy it, they have some other styles. If it would be the only t-shirt they would buy it Sunglasses are very nice, for use (looks hip / nice), I dont like this sunglasses that much but I would use them Dont have sunglasses, would use them She would clean the ball and use it afterwards because she likes to play outside (using the ball) Clean, it s just a soccer ball I would play with it with some friends They also have some cups which are missing a piece but that isnt annoying so she would use it. You will drink on the other side of the cup If it would tear, she would glue it or fix it It doesnt look nicely to show

L:2

Use, keep

J,R:2

R:4

Clean, use

L:5

L:5

Repair

R:5 J:10

Repair Throw away

R:4 L:7

Use Share

J:1

Use it

Nice to play (another) game with others Boring, dont like to play games. But If I play games I would share it with some friends (likes computer games / playing outside) Likes it to play

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Part 2 Julias room Never would throw away: She made a kind of painting, made on a birthday party. The children had to bring some pictures and could create something creative. (memory) Lego friends; use is almost every day (use it a lot) Notice board, decorated with her sister Rozemarijn. Important notes on it What dont use? Dancing (pink with white dots) shoes: are too small now but if some friend of Julia comes to play with her, she (the friend) wears it. It is used for decoration now. Can for ice cream, from a restaurant, now decoration. Nice object to show. Lauras room Never would throw away: Books, she likes to read books in her room on her bed. Mascara; she likes to make-up to look beautiful Photo frame; it was a present from a friend of Lauras mother and she likes her. And the photo shows her (old) horse, she took care of the horse but the owner sold it, so she dont know where the horse is now. What dont use? Ice cup (from same restaurant as Julia mentioned), she cant use it for anything but she likes it so she keeps it.

Brush; she lost it and found it, but in the meantime her mother bought a new one, but this one isnt nice to use (too hard) so it is in her room but she never uses it.

Rozemarijns room Never would throw away: Notice board (created with her sister mentioned before), handy to store notes on it Mirror on which you can hang your jewellery; chains hang on it so she can store her belongings easily and she can look if the jewellery she picks, look nice on her Playmobiel; plays almost every day with it What dont use? Clock; the time isnt right but she likes it for the decoration (the only clock in the room), she is accustomed to the ticking of the clock Birdhouse she created on a birthday party, she doesnt need it but its still in the room / Ice cup Where are these objects from? Who bought it? Laura: Bought her books Bought her mascara or is given as a birthday present The photo frame was a present from a friend of her mother She got the ice cream cup in a restaurant The brush bought her mother Julia:

Notice board bought at the IKEA (present from mother) Lego friends birthday party presents 11

Shoes (present) Painting with pictures made at a birthday party

Rozemarijn: Clock from grandparents (sell house, too many products) Play mobile; birthday present Mirror; present at her 3rd birthday / at birth Lunchbox; collected some points and this was a present you could exchange for the collected points (AH) Birdhouse (created at her own birthday party

Julia prefers the colours (pink and purple). For her own use she would pick the red one. Laura likes the fountain pen (although she mentions that it is a big pen), it will cause a lot of dotes in her notebook but it writes easy and comfortable. Rozemarijn really think the comfort by using a pen is important. For their selves they decide to buy a pen which can write very well, for friends they prefer to give the coloured pens (green, pink).They really like the (green) pen which doesnt have a cap but they have to slide the point out, so they can use it. During the school lessons they can click with this one. Part 4 Make a drawing of: the happiest moment in the week (which you look forward to during the week) Julia Read books on Saturday, not always time because she plays basketball. She barrows it from the library. There is a rule that she borrows 5 books (2 for the parents to read with her and 3 for herself to practise reading) Play mobile puppet, she likes it very much, almost every day Basketball, she practices a lot in the garden (made drawing on the wall in the garden with chalk). Two boys and three girls in a team, but you have to play with 4 in a game. Use the swing, with Rozemarijn in the weekend. They also use the slide and the trampoline a lot. Create things, like a magazines (drawing) Rozemarijn Television: vier van westwijk is a program on the television, she likes to watch it. (Laura: it is recorded in Noordwijk, some friends her have roles in the movie). Its about some friends and a dog, they have to give shows and some persons are kidnapped.

Part 3 Notebooks: Which ones do they like the most? Like little booklet (little pictures in it) Bright colours (boring inside) Like the brown pages inside the booklet (Rozemarijn) Dont like the biggest notebook and the other simple ones (reminds of notebook at school) Sticky tags; colourful Which one would they give as a present? The one you like most? Depends on price Laura: buy the one which is the nicest for the friend, if they cant choose she would gave some money so the friend can make a decision herself. Where to use this booklet for? Use it to note addresses or make notes at school. At the moment the use the boring notebooks at school, the cover is nice but the inside is boring. Pens: Which one do you like most? The girls wanted to use all the pens to test which one they like the most.

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Drew a girl who is dreaming of the weekend, while she actually should make her homework at that time. In the weekend they can meet friends and decide what they are going to do. Swimming; play with a friend and after that go to swimming lessons. Swimming skills improvement (level 2), receive certificate and after that you should swim a test. Laura Weekend; no school, dull teachers, she likes the school but she doesnt like the (home)work. In the weekend she can meet with friends (have fun with them), go to parties, do nice activities with family, eat chocolate, read. A lot of spare time in weekend, not important activities but for me it is important. Part 5 If you had to choose one or two persons with whom you can go out for a whole day, who would you choose? (parents, friends, grandmother, sisters, teachers) Rozemarijn Friends or parents Why? What should you do? Go to the park, nice activities, cosy Julia She would go to the fairy with two friends, already done that but then she didnt go with her real best friend. So she already did that. Laura Friends (2), we should meet and go shopping, after that go to the cinema, eat and sleep together (so actually no sleep at all). Once she made that appointment with her friends, but they couldnt find a date on which they could do all these activities.

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