Instruction Blocks

Free instructions and downloadable materials

This activity is offered free of charge for your use in educational settings or World Usability Day events.

On this page: Activity Summary | Learning Goals | Preparation | Setup | Moderating

Activity Summary

Description:

This interactive activity asks participants to follow one of three sets of instructions to build a small model made with Duplo^TM building blocks. The three kits are set up side by side with a panel separating the kits so participants can only see the instructions for their kit. The exhibit allows one or two participants per kit to compete to build their kit the fastest.

Activity type:

Table-based activity

Good for:

The general public, usability novices and professionals

Requires:

A docent, three sets of Duplo building blocks, three sets of instructions (one with just pictures, one with just words, and one with both pictures and words). A table long enough to hold the three building areas separated by a panel tall enough to keep participants from looking at the other kits being built.

Minimum activity time:

5 minutes

Docents/Moderators:

A docent who can explain the object of the exhibit, set up the three kits and moderate the race to build the kits.

Equipment:

• Duplo^TM blocks (one kit listed here) for the appropriate number of kits :
  • One large (8-cell) green block
  • Four large (8-cell) blue blocks
  • Twelve small (4-cell) green blocks
  • Seven small (4-cell) blue blocks
  • Seven small (4-cell) yellow blocks
  • Seven small (4-cell) red blocks
• Two panels (foam core or thin wood with a base and sides to keep it upright on a table) approximately the width of a standard folding table (32-36") and tall enough to keep participants from seeing each other's kits and instructions (32-36").
• Three sets of instructions:
  • WordsOnly.doc (MS Word 29K)
  • PicturesOnly.doc (MS Word 1.2M)
  • WordsAndPictures.doc (MS Word 1.4M)
• A display stand or easel for the exhibit sign

Signage:

• Download the Activity Signage (494K PDF)

Learning goals

This activity helps participants quickly understand the value of pictures in instructions. It illustrates through the race, the time savings resulting from effective instructions.

Activity Preparation

1. Purchase (or borrow) the appropriate Duplo building blocks to create four identical kits (three for the race and one spare in case parts are lost). NOTE: six or seven kits would be even better if possible, to allow for break down of one set while another race was taking place.
2. Print out the three sets of instructions, or create new instructions if different models are to be created.
3. Create the panels to divide the pairs of participants.

Activity Setup

1. Place the Table Sign photo on a stand.
2. Place the panels on the table (see illustration) to form a T at one end of the table. This will allow three pairs of participants to build the kits adjacent to each other without seeing the other kits.
3. Place two of the three kits on either side of one panel so the participants are on either of the long sides of the table.
4. Place the third kit at one end of the table with the panel parallel with the short end of the table so the participants can stand along the short edge of one end of the table.
5. Verify that all the kits have the necessary pieces by constructing them.

Table Setup:

Activity Moderation

1. The moderator sets the three kits of loose parts and one set of instructions in each of the three positions.
2. The moderator calls for three to six participants to race to construct the three kits
3. The moderator explains the race to the participants. Each team is to construct the model using just their instructions, using all of the parts in the kit in front of them.
4. The moderator begins the race.

Found a Better Way? Question? Comment?

If you have a variant, enhancement, or comment on this activity, send an email to: volunteer@upaboston.org.