THINKING ABOUT DIRECTIONS … tuning in

How many times have students been asked for directions from people about how to get from one place to another?

Were they able to successfully give directions which could be followed or did they have problems explaining it clearly?

Challenge several class members to give an oral explanation of how a stranger to the district would get from the school gate to their house. Class members listening must put themselves in the place of the stranger who is asking and who is not familiar with the district at all.

Invite comment on the directions given.

District landmarks

Each student picks a well known local landmark, eg a park, a building, a shopping mall …

The starting point is at the school gate. Each student is to write a set of written explanations as to how to get there (The landmark is not to be named). Try this out on other class members. Can they name the destination intended?

Would it be easier if a simple map had been drawn? Can other students draw a map from the written instructions given?

THINKING ABOUT EXPLANATIONS

Share experiences when a a student or a member of their family has tried to get something new to work or tried to build or assemble a new product from the instructions in the packet. Was there any frustration noticed? Did tempers get a little frayed? Who or what was at fault - the instructions or the person - or was it a little of both?

THE SIX STEP METHOD

Introduce the students to the following method of making directions and instructions clearer.

  1. Make a sketch, map or diagram
  2. Put numbers on the diagram to clearly identify each stage or direction
  3. Write brief descriptions or instruction which relate to each number
  4. Add any special notes not covered - only if they will make it clearer
  5. Try it out on at least two 'tester' people and ask for their comments
  6. Make any changes based on the comments of the testers

TRY THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGES

  1. How to work a simple kitchen appliance, eg an egg beater, a potato peeling knife, a coffee maker
  2. How to prepare a favourite meal - written for someone who does not cook well.
  3. How to ride a bike.
  4. How to record on the video.
  5. How to mend a bike puncture.
  6. How to work a known computer software programme, eg a drawing or word processing programme
  7. How to access the Internet

HOW DO THE EXPERTS DO IT?

This is a popular site on the web dedicated to explaining exactly 'How Stuff Works'.

Let your students explore this site and report back on interesting things they find. How effective is it? What steps or format do they follow? After exploring the site, would they make any changes to the 6 step method above? Click on the banner to go there.



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