Transmitting craft - methods

Video observation is central to our research methods, based on experience developed over several previous cycles of inquiry into a variety of craft practices and learning activities. Careful selection and use of equipment and techniques ensures that recording does not intrude on the activity but does result in a useful record, often in locations that are highly compromised by bad lighting, difficult sight lines and shifting objects of attention.

During primary work with experienced craft practitioners, the expert learner provides a focus of attention, working alongside the practitioner to learn new skills. Then, through collaboration with the designer/researcher who produces summaries of events based on the video observation, the expert learner develops means of articulating the knowledge initially based on their own experience as a learner. The designer/researcher then develops prototype interpretation suitable for transmitting the knowledge and this material is used to mediate interactions between the expert learner and more novice learners, thus developing the learning materials.

In the most recent research project - the folding knife project - a wiki was used, initially as a collaborative medium for the co-researchers, then it was developed into a prototype resource accessible to learners. Our working assumption was that eventually we would produce professional quality multimedia resources, but eventually it became clear that the more basic wiki was very effective and had some benefits over more “designed” approaches. So, a wiki was used as a means of delivering the final version of the learning resource, a public version of which can be seen here.

Further reading:
Wood N (2010). A good record? The use of video in practice-led design research. Reflections 13 (Research Training Sessions 2009) pp114-125. Brussels: Sint Lucas School of Architecture. PDF
See also the methods section in Nicola Wood's PhD thesis. PDF