Learning By Doing
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Whether the topic is job vs batch vs flow production at GCSE Business Studies, management & leadership styles at A-Level or division of labour in Economics – you can’t beat a good production exercise and it’s helpful for kinaesthetic learners too.
The basic idea is that pupils (individually or in teams) will be producing a product to completion but various topics can be studied here, for example:
• Leaders of each team could adopt different management styles throughout the process as directed by the teacher.
• Pupils could make an item from start to finish with specific manufacturing and decorating instructions akin to job production.
• Division of labour or flow production could be demonstrated via a production line where pupils are assigned specialised tasks eg. cutting, colouring, glueing, folding etc….
• Quality control could be integrated at any stage of the production process.
Competition between ‘teams’ can provide an edge to the process whilst leadership, communication and teamwork skills can be developed as well. When it comes to teaching the ‘theory’, it should hopefully be very pupil-led as they will have appreciated the benefits/problems experienced throughout the exercise.
I’ve attached blank box and van templates but I’m sure there are plenty of other things your class could make. Decorating the items can be simple, ranging from plain-colour vans to intricate designs as directed by the teacher / task manager and the time-scale allowed. Depending upon the time of year the boxes could be decorated in a particular fashion - be it Christmas, Valentine’s, Easter etc… Paper works fine but if you want the products to last then from experience I’d advise printing the templates on thicker paper or card. If done well they also make excellent wall displays – give it a go!
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