Bubble Sheet

Introduction

The bubble sheet is a qualitative coding tool that can be used to track a design process, whether your own or a team’s. The student marks the bubble(s) corresponding to the description that best fits the time frame observed. The bubbles can be filled per minute, every five minutes, 15-minutes, etc.

A bubble sheet with a design model that uses the stages (1) Problem Definition, (2) Gather Information, (3) Generate Ideas, (4) Model, (5) Evaluation, (6) Implementation

This bubble sheet uses a particular design model and is made to be filled in every 30 seconds, for a total of 10 minutes.

Download the Bubble Sheet PDF

Benefits of this capture method

Uses pen and paper, providing a written experience
Results instantly in a visual timeline that other students can see
Can be helpful for comparing timelines across groups in the classroom

Instructions

Materials needed

Printed-out bubble sheets, one for each team (or, for an individual student activity, one for each student).
Markers, pens, or pencils.
Optional: A bell or some noise-alerting device, to chime at each 30 second interval

To use the sheets

Distribute the printed-out bubble sheets and markers, pens, or pencils to your students.
Set up a timer: 10 minutes.
Have your students begin their activity, and start the timer. Every 30 seconds, call out to your students to make a recording on their bubble sheet (if you have a bell, this is when you would ring it, to grab your students' attentions.)

Outcomes

Tips and advice

Practicing reflection: Synchronous tracking may take some time to get used to, as it requires you to reflect on your actions while you’re performing them (in order to know what design process stages to turn on or off). With some practice, it’ll become easier to do, and it offers a great opportunity for metacognition and increased awareness while you’re doing your project.

Multiple colors: If you have multiple teams of students, we recommend each team having a unique color so that their finished sheets can be more easily compared. Plus, it's fun and colorful!