LESSON OVERVIEW
The main objectives of this lesson are to:
- explain the role of design engineering in creative problem-solving;
- discuss the process of innovative thinking and its outcomes.
Students participate in a conversation about design engineering and problem-solving through creative thinking. They discuss the role of design in objects found in their daily lives, delve deeper into understanding the role of design engineering as well as evaluate some shortlisted projects competing in an international design competition.
This is a Speaking Class worksheet. It includes a variety of tasks that let your students practise their speaking skills. This lesson format does not focus on grammar or vocabulary. Learn more about it here.
WARM-UP
This lesson starts with a warm-up in which students take two minutes to come up with things for some categories related to design (e.g. with a user-friendly design; that was poorly designed; with an innovative design). In fostering a deeper understanding of design principles, students engage in a discussion on key aspects, including safety, user experience, comfort, and customization, applying these considerations to items such as smartphones, clothes, and cars for a comprehensive exploration of design in everyday life.
TALKING ABOUT DESIGN ENGINEERING
In this part of the lesson, students understand and discuss the role of a design engineer. Then, they exchange views on whether they could or could not be a design engineer after watching a video that showcases the characteristics of that kind of professional. To delve deeper into the subject, students discuss the characteristics mentioned in the video and reflect on how they might be disadvantageous for design engineers. Following that, students continue the conversation, considering innovative thinking, creative problem-solving, and their impacts on tackling global challenges.
MORE DISCUSSION
In the last part of this lesson, students watch a video about an international design competition which encourages and gives students and graduates the opportunity to share their solution for relevant problems and think about what other kinds of problems might be addressed in competitions like those. To conclude, students read about shortlisted projects and share their ideas on which one they would give an award to. Additionally, they discuss the adaptability of the solutions, the mindset of a design engineer, and the specific issues these professionals could tackle in the students’ local context.