ITEDU 691 --  Strategies and Materials for Teaching
Technology Education
Department of Industry and Technology
Ball State University
Muncie, IN  47306
 

Assignment:  

 Developing Design Briefs

 See Course Calendar http://www.bsu.edu/web/rlshackelfor/ITEDU691/CourseCalendar.htm
 
This assignment is worth 100 points.
 

Purpose:  

 The purpose of this assignment is to develop and/or enhance your ability to prepare effective design briefs.
 

Objectives: 

 Given the information in the Design Brief Assignment and Design Brief Assessment Form you will:
  (1) Research the "design brief" concept. 
  (2)

Enhance your understanding of the design brief concept by using the resources found in the Course Resources.

NOTE: Naturally, your examination of and research into this topic should go beyond the sources listed in the "Course Resource" document.
http://www.bsu.edu/web/rlshackelfor/itedu/Resources.htm

  (3) Develop an original design brief to support the study of a technological concept or principle.
  (4)

Develop a one page bibliography of the resources used in the development of and research into your design brief.
  (5)

Use current APA format for all citations and bibliography listings.
  (6)

Actively exchange ideas and information with other students in-class.
       

Design Brief  
Elements:  

 The term "design brief" has been described as a planned learning experience designed "to stimulate [student] creativity, critical thinking and problem solving abilities" (Ritz and Deal, 1992) with learning(s) to be assessed using stated criteria.

For the purposes of the Design Brief Assignment, your brief should include the following elements: 
 
  (1) A "Title"
  (2) An "Introduction" -- You should consider including information that communicates the following:
    (a) A description of the key concepts to be studied or used in the brief.
    (b) A description of the problem to be studied or addressed in the brief.
    (c) Background information related to the design brief content and stated objectives.
  (3) A "Challenge"
    (a) The challenge should (in one or two short, concise sentences) clearly explain (e.g., guidelines or problem statement) what is to be accomplished and motivate students to successfully complete the activity. 
  (4) "Design Brief Objectives"
    (a) A set of behavioral objectives indicating the cognitive, psychomotor, or affective learnings associated with completing the brief.
      See Course Resources for information on developing behavioral objectives.
http://www.bsu.edu/web/rlshackelfor/itedu/Resources.htm
  (5) A "Resources" Section
    (a) Resources include sources of information that the student(s) may find useful in completing the design brief.
  (6) A "Material / Equipment List"
    (a) The material / equipment list identifies what the student will be given or allowed to use to complete the activity (e.g., time, information, capital, people, energy, processes, machines/tools, etc.)
  (7) A "Limitations / Requirements" Section
    (a) Limitations and/or requirements identify any additional  restrictions or parameters to the activity that are not stated in the Challenge.
  (8) A "Procedures" List
    (a) This section describes the step-by-step procedures the students should follow to complete the brief.
  (9) A "References" Section
    (a) These are a listing of the sources of information you used to develop the brief.
      Be sure all resources used in the development of the brief are appropriately used and cited using current APA format.
  (10) An "Evaluation / Assessment / Feedback" Section
    (a) This section of the brief should describe in detail (e.g., criteria, standards, rubric, etc.) the learnings and/or tasks -- identified in the objectives, challenge, or procedures -- to be assessed.  Be sure to develop the assessment based upon what you have asked the student(s) to do.  Appropriately weight the assessment so it accurately reflects what you are asking the student(s) to do and the importance or value of each identified task or desired learning outcome.
  (11) Author Identification
    (a) Because you are the author of this design brief, be sure your name, address and other appropriate contact information appears on the document in an appropriate location.
  (12) If, after reading the assignment and reviewing the assessment form, you have any questions about the assignment or sources of additional information on this instructional strategy, I encourage you to discuss these points or needs with others in the class. 
  (13) Click on the corresponding  "Stepping-Stone Activity" pdf and "Hull Design" pdf files to see sample undergraduate design briefs.

New sample draft of a Brief title: Structural Truss Elements and Forces pdf
   

Your   
Task(s):   

 You are to use the results of your investigation into the design brief concept (e.g., articles, books, sample briefs, etc.) to develop an original brief by:
  (1) Research the instructional strategy commonly referred to as a design brief . 

See Course Resources for information on design briefs and other instructional strategies.  Naturally, your examination of and research into this topic should go beyond the sources listed in the "Course Resource" document.
http://www.bsu.edu/web/rlshackelfor/itedu/Resources.htm
   
Remember to use the services of the Ball State Library.  Ask a Librarian: Live Chat connects you to a reference librarian for immediate research assistance and is available 1-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Library professionals will give you one-on-one assistance with your research needs including finding online databases and journals, Internet resources, and library materials. There is no software to download, and the service is free! Go to the BSU Libraries' Web site and click on "Ask a Librarian" at http://www.bsu.edu/library.
  (2) Locate the necessary and appropriate resources/references.
  (3) Selecting an appropriate topic related to the study of a technological concept or principle.  Remember, some topics may not be appropriate for the design brief format. 
  (4) Develop your design brief using appropriate design brief elements, text, figures, pictures, graphs, tables, etc.  Remember, "a picture is often worth a thousand words".  Also, when developing the your design brief remember that some design briefs are design to support one learner -- while others are designed to support small groups or pairs of learners.
  (5) Use current APA format to provide appropriate citations and bibliography listings.
  (6) Develop a one page Bibliography of the sources used in the development of the Design Brief (e.g., references and resources) and resources (e.g., books, magazines, WWW, etc.) investigated to develop an understanding of the design brief concept. (Remember to use current APA Format.)
  (7) Submit completed Design Brief and Bibliography for assessment as directed.
     

Submit:  

 Submit the following materials for assessment and feedback.  Be sure to put your name on each paper to be submitted.  I recommend that this be placed in the document's header or footer.
  (1) A copy of the completed Design Brief on 8.5" X 11" paper.  (Be sure to keep a copy for your records.)
  (2) Email a copy of your completed Design Brief and one page Bibliography to the instructor.  (Include them as a Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, or PageMaker attachment.)
  (3) Mail a copy of your completed Design Brief and one page Bibliography to the instructor.

All materials will be returned to you by mail.

Mailed materials should include a cover page that includes: (a) your name, (b) the department and university name, (c) the course name and number, (d) date, (e) your mailing and email address, and (f) a contact phone number.
   

Assessment:  

 The Design Brief Assignment will be assessed using criteria identified in the Design Brief Assessment Form.

See Design Brief Assessment Form
http://www.bsu.edu/web/rlshackelfor/ITEDU691/designbrief
assessmentform.htm
   

Due Dates:  

 Materials (e.g., completed Design Brief) must be submitted for assessment by the following dates:  
 
  Email materials must be submitted by:  10/08/05
   
  Mailed materials must be received by: 10/10/05
   
  It is recommended that the student retain a disk backup copy of all materials sent incase something is lost in the transmission.
       
   

Developed by: 
Dr. Ray Shackelford
Department of Industry and Technology
Ball State University, Muncie, IN 

Please report inactive links and suggested corrections and/or additions to 
rshackelford@bsu.edu
İRay Shackelford
06/02/05