VA: Booklets are back!

In the beginning of the semester I made books to make some research. I got them back and here are some results. Those kids are awesome! (Booklets below show pages from different booklets).

VA: Bully-free Me.

Contrary to the common belief, childhood bullying is not just a part of development that everyone goes through. For many kids it is a constant pain that often leads to psychological issues and insecurities in adulthood. For this project Bully-free Me, Genia Narinskaya collaborated with local elementary schools to collect data and feedback. She designed a system that will promote mutual appreciation among children ages 8-10. Based on a game-like exchange of cards, the project facilitates a learning experience that teaches such virtues as sharing, standing up and looking out for each other, as well as being friendly and accepting. The cards are also supported by colorful posters that explain what those values are.Bullying is a big problem in every school, but with a little respect and communication it can be made smaller. (630 characters)

VA: New icon and type styles.

i'm thinking that hand-written type can be more personal than the generic typed out phrases. It poses and issue of legibility though. Not so much for anyone as for the kids, who are my primary audience. Still working on that.

VA: Bullying presentation II (progress)

Check it out here.

VA: Edited artifacts for testing.

I set up two interviews in elementary schools in Kansas City, MO and Lenexa, Kansas. I will present these artifacts (5 cards, 5 icon posters and two posters with common rules) and get feedback for Wednesday.

VA: Prototypes.

After a lot of research I came up with the following. My idea is to promote kindness and respect among children. When I visited the school and walked around a little bit, I saw signs such as "respect", attitude", "honesty", "responsibility" and "tolerance". This gave me an idea of a system based on those words. Maybe those words could be placed around the halls randomly as colorful stickers that will reinforce the understanding of those terms?

My main idea, however, is based on student-to student interaction. Each student would get a box called "How should I treat everyone?" with a set of palm-sized colorful cards made of a thicker material like drawing board of plastic. Each card will have a hole for a keyring or string, so that kids can keep them in one place. Each colorful card will have an iconic image on the front side, like a shield, and a corresponding phrase on the back. In the case of the hands the phrase would be "Thanks for standing up for me!" with an emphasis on "standing up". Children would be encouraged to give these cards to each other to appreciate positive attitudes among each other. If a kid collects a set number of good cards in a month, a letter of appraisal can be sent to their parents. (In my research I found out that parental appreciation is often a big prize for children). Each box with cards will also have a little manual on how to use them and rules on how to treat each other. The colors of the card will correspond with the colors of the stickers, so that the children can understand the connection between responsibility and standing up for someone.

There will also be a system of posters that will reinforce the ideas of sharing, kindness, honesty, etc.

VA: Multiple design solutions.

I am definitely going to redesign the existing posters (no more Comic Sans and boring layout). I think it is not a bad idea, just a bad execution and I want to respect their idea.

Kids get bored easily. If you want them to focus and keep their attention, the design piece should be entertaining, clear and game-like. It shouldn't be stupid or treating 9 year old kids like babies, but it should be simple and understandable. What should it be?

Solution 1. "I am nice like..." shirts.

This solution would be cool if it is designed well. If could be given cool shirts with words that promote things such as peace, tolerance, acceptance, etc. The phrases would reference celebrities "Matt Daemon doesn't think bullying is cool", "Beyonce is nice to everyone, and so am I". That's kind of a weird idea, but why not?

Solution 2. "How nice are you?".

There can also be a "niceness" competition. There will be a board for each class that will include every person in the class. There will be a way to interactively document "nice" things that the kid did, like helped out a weaker kid. Each kid's achievement will get a point of 1-5, depending on what they did. Each kid's achievement will be reported by the person he helped, so that there will be no "showing-off" in front of the teacher. Whether the kid is "reporting" the "good deed" will depend on how much he/she wants the class to win. There should be a list of basic "good deeds" that earn you points, standing up for someone being the highest. On the last day of each month, the overall number of points will be counted and the class with the most points is going to get a price. Like a group outing to a movie.

Solution 3. "Free stuff!"

I remember getting very excited to get a present from the school that I can keep. What if it is fun, cute and useful at the same time?

Each student can get a set of supplies (binder, spiral notebook, pencils, etc) that had the ABC rules on them. For example the classroom "commandments" can be printed on a notebook or separate pencils. Each artifact would be colorfully designed and the words will not be just boring statements.

Solution 4. "Our principal was a kid too!"

Each teacher, including the principal can write a paragraph about how they were bullied as kids and what they did to stop it. The information can be a little bit changed, giving the "correct" scenarios. The fact that they will be coming from older, respected people will give the stories authority and will promote similar actions (standing up for yourself, protecting others, etc)

Solution 5. "I am cool, because I'm nice!"

Someone who stands up for another kid, should be rewarded. A reward system based on an emotional pleasure, rather than materialistic achievement (like going to the movies) should be established. It should definitely be something they can show-off, like a paper medal they get too keep. Again, this system is going to be based on competition, but the kind that you can win by doing a good thing. Another benefit of "good" competitions is that everyone, no matter how strong, smart or old you are, can win. You help me out and I will help you is not just a moral thing, but is also helping your friend get honored.

VA: Bullying presentation coming up!

This presentation is about my research so far, showing the target audience, problem and potential solution. You can see this presentation on the here (shared via SlideShare.com).

VA: Research. Narrowing down.

I added some issues within issues to my previous post. I think I am most interested in cyber-bullying,  online stalking and forgery, child abuse and immigration help.