MYP Design Year 1 · Unit 2 · Lesson 11
Redesign an Everyday Object for a User
L11 · 01

Interviewing Users

A good interview helps the user describe their experience in their own words.

Student Materials
Interview habits
O
OPENAsk questions that invite more than yes or no.
L
LISTENDo not interrupt or rush to your idea.
F
FOLLOW UPAsk for an example when an answer is unclear.
Use ← → / Space to navigate.Lesson 11 · User interview
Learning Focus
Ask without leading
L11 · 02

By the end of today, students can…

01

Ask

open questions about a user’s experience.

02

Listen

for useful details and examples.

03

Record

important responses accurately enough to use later.

Primary researchCommunication + research ATL
Mini-Lesson
Open vs leading
L11 · 03

Leading

“Wouldn’t a bigger handle be easier?”

Open

“What is easy or difficult about using this handle?”

WHY?

A leading question can make the user agree with the designer instead of describing their real experience.

Teach the difference before interview practice.Ask, don’t sell.
Question Types
A simple interview sequence
L11 · 04
EXPERIENCE“Tell me about the last time you used this.”
→
DIFFICULTY“What part is hardest or most annoying?”
→
PRIORITY“If one thing worked better, what would matter most?”
Use follow-up questions when needed.Short interview structure
Active Listening
Do less talking
L11 · 05

During an interview…

Wait

Give the user time to think.

Clarify

“Can you give me an example?”

Confirm

“Did I understand that correctly?”

Record

Write key ideas, not every word.

Do not promise the final solution during the interview.Listen first
Workshop
Paired Interview Practice
L11 · 06
Workshop

Practice before interviewing your project user.

ROUND 01

Interview

Use three prepared questions and one follow-up.

ROUND 02

Feedback

User identifies one strong question and one question that felt leading or unclear.

ROUND 03

Switch

Reverse roles and repeat.

Practice topic can be a familiar classroom object.Main workshop
Project Interview
Gather evidence
L11 · 07

Use your interview guide with the intended user.

Ask about the current experience, not about whether the user likes your future design idea.

If the intended user is unavailable, interview a teacher-approved representative user who experiences a similar situation.

Record key responses on the printable.Project research
Exit Reflection
What did the user say that matters?
L11 · 08

Finish one sentence.

“The most useful interview response was _______ because it may affect _______.”

Next lesson

Students compare primary and secondary research methods and decide what each method can provide.

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