Learning by Explaining: Mini-Presentation Generative Learning Strategy

• In Event: Design and Technology: Cases, Issues, and Trends

Abstract

It is important for designers to communicate their decisions in logical, concise, and convincing manners. However, students in our interaction design program struggle with explaining why they make certain design decisions. With this context, I constructed a new generative learning strategy named mini-presentation, referring to learning-by-teaching literature. In essence, each student gives a short presentation, ranging from one to two minutes, to critique existing work or justify their own project using the theories covered in the lectures. The results of semi-structured interviews and open-ended surveys suggest that the mini-presentation strategy is beneficial not only for communication skills but also for concept understanding and remembering. This design case includes the detailed discussion of how the strategy could enhance concept learning.

Author

• Kei Tomita, Kennesaw State University