02 | In Transit: Precedent Research

Before the Activity:

  • Familiarize yourself with the prompt and instructions to effectively guide students through the research and analysis process. 
  • Set up the classroom or designated workspace with access to computers or tablets for student research and collaboration
  • Gather resources and materials needed for the activity
  • Make sure each student has access to a device to research on, this activity can be done in pairs if we have limited devices.

Throughout the Activity:

  • Research: Encourage students to pick a transit system they find interesting or that connects to their personal experiences. 
  • Provide students with resources or suggested websites (e.g., travel blogs, transportation websites, academic papers) to get them started.
  • Offer advice on what key features to focus on: geography, capacity, technology, environmental impact, and user experience.
  • Discussion: Emphasize the importance of discussing both the pros and cons of the system. This helps develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, leading to meaningful suggestions for improvement.
  • Make it clear that this activity is purely research-focused and not meant to brainstorm ideas for their own projects. This should be an exercise in understanding and analyzing existing transit systems, not developing new ones.
  • Improvement Phase: Now that they have a deep understanding of the system, they can consider what might make it more effective, efficient, or sustainable. This could involve:
    • Addressing environmental or accessibility issues
    • Leveraging new technologies or materials
    • Enhancing the user experience

After the Activity:

  • Allow space for other students to react and ask questions to their peers