Some research advice and how to go about a concept & evaluation project in one!

Sam,

Firstly I think your project is a really interesting subject area to tackle with a proposed design solution (good on you for trying something really challenging) and as I said in our meeting on Friday I think you should look to the work Jenna and co. have done with the DASH project (in partnership with Gateshead PCT) for a bit of inspiration on how to incorporate evaluation and concept style approaches into one project: http://www.dott07.com/go/dash you can download their final report from the Dott website also.

As I said on Friday, I would write yourself some research objectives. This will ensure you make the best use of your time by filtering out the vast array of research sources of limited relevance and will also help you communicate what your trying to find out and why to those people you would like to participate in your research activities. I would also think a bit more about enlisting some support/partnership for your project from a local play strategy officer from one of the local councils (I'll ask my Mum if she knows of anyone working in this area in the north east). On that note I have been away all weekend so I haven't had chance to speak to my Mum about any useful contacts and reading she can suggest but I will try and get hold of her this week for you.

Hope the project plan is shaping up well (I look forward to see your critical path!), and if you need any more help before we next meet you know how to get hold of me.

Nina

P.S. great idea setting up a project blog - will really help you when you come to write up the project.

play.create

The play.create project aims to raise awareness of the importance of play to adults and children. The project aims to create a number of small design interventions which will over time will change the current perception of play.

The project is only in its early stage's, and I am currently generating a list of areas for research, tools for gathering information from the intended audience and a list of readings to fully understand the problem space.

My recent trip to the Play Education 2007 conference enabled me to fully understand the problem space and gain invaluable knowledge of play, as a subject area. I also gained a numerous links to existing research, reports and events... aimed at achieving a similar outcome.... this experience has opened my eyes to the importance of play and the possibilities play has to offer children.

I am happy to say that I share the common aspiration (mentioned throughout the conference), that play is a very important aspect of a child's life and development... and should be part of children's everyday life.

I am writing this blog to gain advice / suggestions concerning the direction for the play.create project

.... I look forward to hearing from you soon

Samantha