Design Engineering
Showcase 2020

Self-determination theory, ownership by design and the principles of transformation education were applied in order to devise the first iteration of the system[3][4][5]. From this critical study the following requirements were defined for the system: connection, competence, autonomy, ownership and critical reflection.

I worked with the teachers and students at Feltham Young Offenders Institute to iterate on this system and define the stages that would bridge the gaps between disengaged, disadvantaged students and self-determined learners.

The system is in its third iteration following 2 pilots run with 8 disengaged students from mainstream schools. The predominent focus of these pilots was to define the tools and resources to achieve the learning outcomes of each of the stages in the system. The pilots were each run as a series of daily interactive, virtual workshops over the course of 4 weeks.

The outcome is a learner centred system that disrupts the role of teacher and student. Students embark on the programme by discovering and developing the self knowledge required to define their own learning goals.

Students then work with teachers and mentors to develop and deliver an education programme that supports their goals. The delivery of this programme spans not only the knowledge transfer, seen in traditional education programmes, but application of that knowledge.

Responsible education should broaden career prospects so each stage includes a convergence of internal and external motivators. The internal aspect focuses on developing self knowledge through critical reflection. The external aspect links the students intrinsic motivators to real world aspirations.

The system has been extracted from the Feltham context to create the Self-Determined Learning Double Diamond, a universal framework for self-determined learning. I have presented this work at Service Lab London and the framework has been used in the learning design of Founders Academy’s alternative education programme.

[1]Department of Work and Pensions, ”Households below average income: 1994/95 to 2017/18”, GOV.UK, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.gov.uk/government/... w-average-income-199495-to-201718. [Accessed: 22- June- 2020]

[2]D. Hirsch, ”Experiences of poverty and educational disadvantage”, Jrf.org.uk, 2007. [Online]. Available: https://www.jrf.org.uk/sites/default/files/jrf/migrated/files/2123.pdf. [Accessed: 22- June- 2020]

[3]W. Baxter and M. Aurisicchio, ”Ownership by Design”, Psychological Ownership and Con- sumer Behavior, pp. 119-134, 2018.

[4]R. Ryan and E. Deci, ”Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation from a self-determination the- ory perspective: Definitions, theory, practices, and future directions”, Contemporary Educational Psychology, p. 101860, 2020.

[5]C. Tønseth, R. Bergsland and S. Hui, ”Prison education in Norway – The importance for work and life after release”, Cogent Education, vol. 6, no. 1, 2019.