Trade Up!

Trade up is a classroom system built of 4 fundamental pillars geared towards learning through trade. The project came to life through strong field research built from co-design and co-analysis sessions with school teachers. Trade up looks at learning through fun, work, creativity and tools, aiming to use all these to build on inclusivity and harmony within the classroom. Through connection with my stakeholders I looked at how teachers can better understand the students in their classroom specifically the students showing antisocial behaviour. It was shown to me that these students learn more through doing rather than being told. This project aims to allow students to step into their independance by expanding learning through activity and personalised alter egos allowing students to better engage, trust and connect within the classroom. With the use of Buddy blocks, Florbs and a learning system called the village hut students find their place within the classroom, understand their responsibilities and work on the classroom together by changing how the classroom functions and using their voice to better education and play.
Trade up encourages play and allows students to learn through communication and independance. It facilitates space for co-design within the classroom encouraging students to use their voice to build and find their space in the classroom regardless of ability or behaviour.




Buddy Blocks

Buddy Blocks are a trading task built through modular blocks. Children start with mismmatched blocks and then trade with their peers to complete their sculpture. The task facilitates space for all students to interact and promotes learning through communication. Data indicated that students with behavioural issues typically continue to act out as they feel estranged and unneeded within the classroom. This simple task then shows them that they are needed by holding other students blocks. Allowing them to learn through communication, giving them the confidence and independance to interact with the rest of the classroom and re-establish themselves. 
Florbs
Florbs is the name given to individually represented characters designed by the students in the classroom. Allowing roleplay to push creativity in the classroom. These become peronas representing how the student acts. allowing all students to showcase their independance and contribute to the classroom.