Seventeenth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices

Abstract

This research study explores the scope for feasibility, implementation and evaluation of the effectiveness of an activity-based study of the regional crafts as a part of middle school craft and design education. The objective of the practice is to give a conceptual understanding of design to the students and show how indigenous crafts can be used for creative inspiration to teach design to the students. The theoretical significance of the project is to set an example of how design sensibility and awareness can be cultivated in children through indigenous resources and strengths, and art and craft heritage. The practical relevance of this intervention in basic school education is to provide learning experiences through processes in design education to develop abilities and attitudes which connect the child to real-life and strengthen decision-making. From the basic school education, a child derives practical values that direct the contextual philosophy governing his day-to-day life and social constructs. The action-based research is positioned in a residential school in the state of Assam in North-east India. The method of research is participatory visual research in which the students present their work as learning evidence. The effectiveness of the project is further evaluated by giving the students a pre-questionnaire and a post-questionnaire to determine the enhancement in learning. The results that are drawn from this intervention aim to contribute to future practice and research in design education, and the development of a regional framework section for design education curriculum at the school level.