MUTKU Design learning pedagogy
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
Category
Project Description
World needs bold ideas and young people, who bring them to life. Suomu and MUTKU Design Learning Pedagogy provides tools for that. MUTKU is a collection of design tools for teaching and learning. MUTKU brings together design process, co-prototyping knowledge and creativity in a way that changes the way we see learning. MUTKU promotes learning by doing and gives an active and explorative role to the student. Students design their own learning and the teacher facilitates and inspires.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Description of the project
Summary
During its existence, Suomu has been a key developer of design learning methods in Finland. The Suomu curriculum includes developing teaching materials for schools, various co-creation projects withs students, teachers and experts and numerous events and exhibitions. The MUTKU program 2015-2021 has been an ongoing developing experiment, during which we have co-created new methods of design learning.
- Mutku 1.0 was developed together with the Art Promotion Centre Finland (TAIKE). It was the first teachers’ guide and learning material about design learning in Finland to be distributed openly for schools.
- HabiKids Design School for Habitare (Finland's largest furniture, design expo with 58.000 visitors yearly) . Suomu created the concept and produced the event. The event showcased and piloted various Mutku methods.
- Mutku 2.0: design learning school concept for after-school hours for elementary school students, aiming to provide affordable hobbies for kids, supported by the Ministry of Education. a 2-year project
- Mutku 3.0: Affordable design learning school concept for teens (secondary school). Co-working and co-creating with professional designers, gaining work experience. supported by the Ministry of Education, a 1-year project
- Milan Triennial 2019, Finland exhibition, curated by Aalto University. Suomu’s “World Saving Machines” created by Mutku students were displayed at the exhibition
- MUTU learning package for Finnish upper-secondary schools: MUTU was developed in collaboration with Piknik People Studio and Savonlinna High School of Music & Art, which is the oldest art-specific upper-secondary school in the Nordics. MUTU is the first material about design that is designed directly to address the new curricula 2021. MUTU was co-developed with over 100 students and teachers and it includes a teachers guide, 3D learning aids and students own sketchbook.
All materials are openly available in muotoilukasvatus.info. MUTU available in kuvistuubi.
Key objectives for sustainability
Suomu approaches sustainability issues through understanding, ideating and experimenting. Mutku methods aim to support children’s thinking skills by opening up and explaining the design processes. This holds a key role in changing e.g. consumption patterns and habits. Suomu operates in an open manner and has aimed to make the developed materials accessible widely for the target users - schools, teachers, students, educators. We address education and educational materials with the underlying values of sustainability and aim to give tools for children to question the current, think bravely and experiment alternative models. Mutku methods are designed to embrace imagination, nourish ideas and make them flourish and grow.
The World-Saving Machines project presented in the Milano Triennale is an example of this approach. This project gave children a possibility to express their worries about climate change and pollution by creating imaginative solutions addressing these worries. The results included a banana submarine, garbage collecting dog robot, flood wall system and many other fantastic innovations.
Our core group consists of design and teaching professionals, including designers with sustainability oriented training and expertise. Sustainability flows through all our processes: we upcycle and reuse and develop our new projects by broad and critical thinking. With our partners, we participate in developing sustainable cities and communities.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
Learning with MUTKU methods can give an understanding of design and how it manifests in society, build-environment and consumer goods. The backbone of the process is MUTKU Cake, which consists of four steps: 1) Observe & Explore, 2) Experiment,3) Develop Ideas & prototypes and 4) Review the process and share results.
Through MUTKU process-cake, students learn about not only the design process, but skills of looking & noticing, and voicing out their thoughts and ideas. This enables being vocal about surrounding environments and objects. Also a significant aspect is the developing of surroundings together and growing understanding of one’s own living environment and growing sense of locality or even one’s home.
Key objectives for inclusion
The development of MUTKU methods also apply the UN Agenda 2030 goals of social sustainability. Co-design, social participation and training one’s team skills are at the core of all our methods and materials. The MUTKU methods teach discussion and dialogue; how to reach common goals and develop them together, while valuing everyone’s creation. These methods are sensitive to individual needs, and different levels of learning skills. Young people who have experienced lack of participation in previous learning environments, are finally allowed to build their own identities as a part of the community. As the cooperation skills increase, the young individual learns to face challenges and participate in society.
Suomu has trained MUTKU junior instructors as part of Mutku 3.0: Affordable design learning school concept for teens (secondary school) -project. It consisted of participation to design club and showcase event planning and instructing. After getting their diploma, they can apply for open Suomu event and other activity paid vacancies. MUTKU Juniors have worked with us in Helsinki Design Week, Aalto University and more.
Results in relation to category
Suomu curriculum has been available for Finnish schools and educators since 2015. Methods have been piloted and developed further in Nordic Design School project. Thousands of families have taken part in our events and co-design processes. We have witnessed an empowering effect through making and presenting your work for others. One example is Milan Triennale and the children’s work, but this is visible on a small scale too,when people take part in our guided workshops.
The Methods have been put to practice via contents made with and for culture institutions and museums. The methods have been used in summer camps, after school design club activities. Design Learning has been in the course palette in Aalto University Wide Art Studies since 2017. Suomu has created and developed the course curricula and MUTKU-juniors take part in the course as client-evaluation team. MUTKU juniors are young people who took part in out design clubs and activities and graduated as junior instructors. Suomu hires them to work in our events and other activities.
Moreover, methods were distributed via Suomu-trained professional designers working as ambassadors. They visited schools and gave lectures and workshops about design learning.
How Citizens benefit
Suomu has showcased the MUTKU methods in several series of widely accessible events. WIth the help of many public partners we have made these events free, co-creating and co-creating “workshop festivals”. Some of these events have been targeted to specific groups of people - immigrants or the elderly - or certain areas: suburbs, challenging and/or developing neighborhoods, always in cooperation with local communities and authorities. These events aim to strengthen a sense of ownership to the community, and create a more positive local identity.
These events have also been a crucial learning environment for ourselves. By listening to the people we understand more of the processes we are trying to make an impact on.
Innovative character
MUTKU design learning pedagogy fundamentally changes how learning is seen. It uses design methods as learning tools, and applies design thinking to new areas. Furthermore, Children and Youth are seen as active planners of their learning. Learning is co-created and built together, and it comes from the student. Learning by doing and embracing mistakes challenges the traditional way of learning that has concentrated on exams and right answers. In design learning, mistakes are seen as treasures that teach things no one could think beforehand. Mistakes can alas be seen as a method of learning. Suomu promotes broad and brave thinking and sees Children and Youth as active members of society. They are innovators that are able to shape and form their own living environments. MUTKU gives them the tools to think, ideate and make.
