Write it do it!

Write it do it! - link
"Write it do it"  is a written communications exercise where you put your writing (and sketching) skills to the test.

"In Write It Do It, one team member is given a structure built from some sort of construction materials (Legos in our case), and writes a set of instructions on how to build it. The other team member will receive the instructions written by their teammate and a set of unassembled materials, and attempt to recreate the object as accurately as possible."


ENGR1304 version:

Instead of teams, everyone will start out writing & drawing instructions, and then everyone will use someone else's instructions to build.  

At the end, we will look at pictures of the original structures, the recreated structures, and the instructions.  We will discuss what kind of graphical and written information is needed in order to build something.  

Rules:
Keep computers off - Use hand-written instructions intermixed with freehand sketches.  Use drafting lettering practices, be brief and organized.

Keep your structure in your box - don't let others in the class see it, and don't look around trying to see other people's structures.


1st hour - Instruction phase - 
You will be given a bag with a Lego creation in it, Create an instruction manual on how to build what you are given.

2nd hour - Build phase.
Disassemble your Lego structure,  place all of your parts + your instructions in your bag.  I will collect & redistribute the bags.   You will be using someone else's instructions and parts to try and recreate the Lego structure they had.

Write comments on the instructions you were given:
How clear and complete are they?
Was the organization appropriate?
What information was useful?  What was redundant?
Were sketches clear?
Were you able to recreate the original structure?
How quickly and efficiently could you work?
List strengths and weaknesses.

3rd hour - Class discussion on written communication.

Homework:
Redo your instructions taking into consideration everything that you learned during the write-it-do-it lab.

Example Lego creations from last year:

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