When we got this assignment, to use $1 to come up with a new invention, I thought I would have a ton of crazy, creative ideas. This challenge was actually a lot harder than it first seemed, and apparently I am less creative than I originally thought. My understanding of the challenge was to take some object and use it as something that it was not intended to be. As part of our class discussion last week, we talked about technology in terms of problem solving. When we work with technology, we must be prepared to try new things, even if they do not work. Our thinking cannot be so rigid, and we have to be able to look at things in different ways. During this assignment, I kept reminding myself of this.
The other night I was drinking a 20 oz Diet Coke, as pictured above. When I drank enough that I was down to the top of the label, I suddenly saw this plastic bottle in a different way. I thought I could cut the top off to create a funnel. When I finished the soda and cut the bottle, I realized that the larger part of the funnel (where you pour the substances) was a little small. What if someone was pouring out of a large container? It is always easier to pour into something that has a wider circumference. Also, if someone had trouble with hand-eye coordination, or motor control issues, a larger opening would be beneficial. I went to the store and bought a larger 1 liter bottle to use instead.
I thought it might be helpful to keep the label on the bottle, or even paint around the rim of the funnel so the edge would be visibly noticeable for those that may have vision problems. Otherwise a clear, plastic funnel would not be much help. Also, this funnel is convenient because it can rest on the container to which you are transferring the substance. This benefits everyone by allowing the use of both hands to pour, while it also benefits those with motor control issues by allowing them to use two hands to steady and focus their movements.
This assignment definitely presented me with a challenge to think "outside of the box," and experiment with my materials. When working with students in the future, this kind of thinking will be integral to using, designing and adapting individual pieces of assistive technology.
5 comments:
This is an interesting way to look at a coke bottle. I enjoyed how you really thought about how it can be useful for all types of people with all types of disabilities. The wider surface truly does benefit people who have trouble with hand- eye coordination, or motor control, and coloring the plastic would help someone see where the edge of the funnel begins. This is not only useful for people who have "disabilities," but the average Joe as well because you can rest it on the container you are pouring it into, and it makes pouring a lot easier, with less spills- which is great. I really enjoyed reading about you idea, and how you displayed pictures for how you created this "million dollar" tool. I think you should get this idea patented. :)
Wow, this was a great idea! Not only did you think outside the box and create a novel use of an everyday item (turning the Coke bottle into a funnel), but you really hit the universal design concept on the head. I was really impressed with this idea, great job!
This would have been such a helpful tool to have around in almost every classroom I have been in. All of the classrooms I have worked in have had either a snack period or lunch held in the same classroom and there was almost always a pitcher of water on the table for the students to pour from themselves. This almost always got messy as the kids were either very young or simply had poor motor skills/ hand-eye coordination. Especially when you are eating on the same surface you are doing classwork on, spilling water all over the table or desk can get very messy and problematic. This tool would allow the kids to be independent in serving themselves while helping to eliminate the possibility of a huge mess.
Elina, your idea is super innovative and accessible to many different types of needs. I appreciated how once you came up with the idea, you continued to dig for more ways to help create a universal design by getting a larger coke bottle. It is clear that you took into account many different types of challenges people with disabilities may face.
Great Idea! It's very interesting. I think you're more creative than you give credit for. You turned in to everyday item into something very useful. I like how you really thought through, like keeping the label for better visual. Also, it would save some huge mass that might happen. Very good!!
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