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Activity 7.2
DECISION MAKING
Aim:
When you have completed this activity you will have used a decision-making
process to suggest participatory action in support of the widespread use
of solar power.
- Read through the information about the issues surrounding the use
of solar energy. Despite the obvious environmental benefits of using
solar power many Australians aren’t supporting its use. Your task is
to find out why by undertaking a survey and then planning a campaign
to encourage the use of solar power.
- An important part of this activity is to demonstrate how well you
practice effective decision-making skills. Read through the decision-making
skills below before you begin and try to use them throughout the activity.
At the end of the activity rate how well you think you have used these
skills. Your first decision is whether you will work alone or with one
or two others. Record your steps in decision-making and planning throughout
the activity.
- If you don’t have enough information about solar energy use and programs,
find some more. Contact local electricity retailers and generators and
government energy departments and do a search on solar energy on the
Internet. Using the compass rose framework
Procedure:
Conducting the survey
- Decide who the target audience of your survey and product will be.
Are you targeting householders, businesses, your school? Design your
questions for this group. This means finding out what their needs are
and using appropriate language.
- Write your survey. Don’t make it too long. Test it on a volunteer
who is in your target group. This could be your parents, teacher, or
member from a local business, organisation or industry.
- Decide who you will deliver the survey to. Decide how you will administer
the survey: verbally in person or over the phone; photocopied and hand
delivered; or posted.
- Deliver the survey and allow a reasonable time for people to respond.
Thank respondents for their time.
Designing your product
- Decide on the type of product you will design to encourage the use
of solar energy in your chosen group. It could be a brochure, poster,
fact sheet, letter/report, PowerPoint, or multimedia presentation, or
web page. The message, language and appearance should appeal to your
chosen group.
- Design your product and test your first draft on someone from your
chosen group. Use their feedback to modify your work.
- Consider the best way to deliver the product to the intended audience.
You may need to ask permission or arrange time or space to show your
work. Send a copy of your work to an organisation working to promote
alternative and solar energy.
- Evaluate your work by completing the following questions.
Evaluation and reflection
Decision-making skills
| Skill |
Rating |
| |
Always |
Sometimes |
Rarely |
| I gathered all the information I needed at each step
before progressing |
|
|
|
| I listened carefully to what others had to say |
|
|
|
| I was willing to change my mind when I heard new information
or convincing reasons |
|
|
|
| I identified options and discussed their pros and cons |
|
|
|
| I thought about the consequences of making various choices |
|
|
|
Reflecting on a decision
Choose one decision you made during this activity and answer these questions.
- What was the decision you are examining?
- Why did you make this choice?
- What were the possible consequences of this decision?
- Did you have all the resources you needed to carry out your decision?
- Explain your answers.
Available as:
 PDF
– Activity 7.2
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