Use of toy cars as a stimulus in teaching information research skills to product design students

Teaching of library and information research skills (in this case technical information - standards patents material data) to second year product design students is enhanced greatly if the process is active and reflective the information meaningful and embedded into their particular situation and the environment stimulating.

Plastic toy cars are given to the students at the start of the session and immediately create interest. With direction they stimulate discussion and exploration of the role of information within the design process. Recognition of their information needs as designers motivates students to actively engage with the information research process.