In the world of technology the consumer is the best designer!

Sometimes we forget that our best resources are our students.  Recently our seventh graders expressed a dislike for the work we require on eSpark.  Mr. Gaven held some meetings with students and asked for suggestions on how to make the work more engaging and appealing.  He received more suggestions then he could handle.  We called the CEO of eSpark and requested a meeting.  He flew in from Chicago and heard an earful from our students and teachers. He is committed to fixing the problem, but how?  Our solution is to let the kids help design a new interface on the app.  Yesterday the eSpark team visited the MS to kick off the “eSpark design challenge”.  Fifth grade students will work in teams using the format below.  Winning teams will be hired by eSpark to design the new interface over the summer!  In the world of technology the consumer is the best designer!  I am excited to see the results!

The eSpark Design Challenge

You will work in groups of up to 4 students to solve a design challenge for eSpark.

You will hand in:

● A keynote presentation showing your progress throughout the design process

○ Your teacher will give you the Keynote template to work from.

● Your best representation of your final idea to recommend to eSpark

Your project is due by Wednesday June 11, 2014. Your teacher will give you instructions on

how to submit your presentations.

Decide on the problem

Pick one of these four problems:

● How can we give students more choice?

● How can we make eSpark videos and games more fun and exciting?

● How can we track our progress?

● Or, choose your own improvement to eSpark

Do Research

Determine why this is a problem

● Why do YOU think this is a problem?

● Ask three students why THEY think this is a problem

● Write down what you learned your research? What was surprising?

● Decide what you think is the main cause of this problem

Brainstorm Ideas

● Show three examples of games or apps that have solved this problem.

● Which one do you like best? Why?

● Think of five possible ways to solve the problem for eSpark

● Sketch out the two you like best.

Test Your Ideas

Explain how you know your idea will be successful and be accepted by students AND teachers

● Show your ideas to 3 other students

● Write down their reactions to your ideas

● Make at least one change to your design based on the feedback.

● Test again by asking the same people what they think. Is the response better?

Share Your Best Idea

● What is the best way to share your best idea with eSpark? Drawings, a video, an essay,

a monologue…?

● Take as much space as you need to illustrate your vision of eSpark.

Good luck, designers! The eSpark Team.