Points both experts agree upon
• Instructions with room for uncertainty and information gaps will not work as they are now and might scare people away.
• Showing which level of experience users are expected to need to bring the kit to successful results will be beneficial, since that will lower the chance a user is scared away from electronics or bored with a kit.
• Images are good for instructions. Whether it is because they make them more inviting or because people can check if what they are doing is correct.
• Original instructions contain too much information.
• Explicitly tell the users they will make mistakes and that that is fine, as long as they learn from them.
Point the experts disagree upon
The experts disagree upon how to increase the effectiveness of the instructions. Dave believes they might be too difficult to understand for inexperienced users and suggests adding multiple levels of instruction, maybe even tips and answers in envelopes. On the other hand, based on research, Joyce believes information gaps and uncertainty will not invite to be persistent but require persistence instead. She believes using personas in examples and explanations will improve motivation and persistence. Luckily, these additions are not excluding one another, so both can be applied.
What can be concluded from their statements?
• Images should be used in instructions.
• The new method of designing instructions needs beta testing in order to be refined. • Adding motivational elements and multiple levels of instructions is advised.
• It is fruitful to look into the possibilities of setting up a knowledge sharing platform. • Determining and showing which level of experience with the subject of a kit will
minimize negative results, but only if that is done carefully.
• In order for users to learn how LEDs work, the instructions about them should grab their attention. That is not the case in either instruction design.
• The other ideas in table 5 can prove useful as well and are worth further investigation.
The ideas suggested by the experts have been incorporated in the table of ideas. The new table can be viewed in table 6.
The thoughts of the experts brought forth interesting additions to what needs to be done in order for the ideas in table 5 to work. In the next chapter, these conclusions will be used to attempt answering the research question and give an advice to Conrad about how to proceed when using STEM kits to help zeros become makers.
Category Idea Removes obstacle
Using aid STEM kit
Inspiration Lists of examples to try and problems to solve
Distractions Seed & Reason to build
A list which fits the components or learning goal of the kit can be delivered. Networ- king Project consultants Fears & Anxieties
Help Helpful people could be on the knowledge sharing platform to provide help, but it would first need to be established or the consultants need to be hired. Knowledge sharing platform Missing Knowledge & No Plan & Lack of Self- belief Network & Sharing Knowledge (& others’ insight)
Include access code to (parts of) online knowledge sharing platform
Promotion Gathering resources & Inaccessibility
Network Provide promotion for
established 3D print hubs and PCB service Hobbyist approach advice Missing Knowledge & Gathering Resources & Inaccessibility Network & Sharing Knowledge & Others’ work methods/in sight
Include pictures and info about Fab Labs and Maker Spaces close to retail point of kit, including what is possible there and how to ask technology hobbyists for help.
Access
Reduce prices
Monetary constraints
Pricing Not desirable
Changing kit designs Gradually invite to try new things or improve skills Uncertainty about skills & lack of (self-)belief
Improving Self
Show which level of experience a kit requires. The higher the level, the less specific the instructions and more materials and tools are not delivered, requiring more thinking and creativity from the user. “Not sure if I can” into “Try if I can” by motivation and making failure okay
Risks & Fears & Uncertainty about skills & Difficulty translating theory to practice Testing skills
Instructions can be designed as such that users are gradually testing their skills and
knowledge by providing
information gaps (see literature review). This can open their eyes to trying before giving up. Ease user up for making mistakes Fears & Uncertainty about skills Directly targeting fears, no specific aid
Message at the start of
instructions telling the user they will become makers by using this kit and that making mistakes is okay, as long as they learn from them. Examples from user group Uncertainty about skills Compariso n with others, no specific aid
Images and explanations of creations by people or personas which fit intended user group as challenges.
9 Conclusion
This chapter starts off with a summary of the research process, after which an answer is provided to the research question, and finally, an advice will be given to Conrad on how to use STEM kits to help zeros become makers.