Develop small dolls as an educational tool to teach shape in apparel design principles subject

The "Educational Methods" become an integral part of the learning process at all. By which both students and educators can easily achieve their goals. It also plays an important role concerning the development of information technology revolution. Thus, it becomes indispensable in our life as one of the basic educational pillars. The use of educational methods becomes more popular all over the world. It is called educational "Methods" as it paves the way for students along with educators to acquire additional skills, widely interact within a friendly and encouraging atmosphere, leaving the space for further interactions and communications.
Since the second half of twentieth century, the "Educational Methods" has undergone a lot of updates and improvements. It is no longer depends on the oral attributes, but on creating contemporary and modern applicable methodologies.
The objective of this research is preparing a small and simple mannequin that imitates the form of the human body as a new"Educational Method" during the course of "Principles of Apparel Design" subject. Thus, the students could manifest the element of shape in order to apply the principles of designing. In addition, this new method will give them chances to create and innovate new designs that differ from the traditional ones whichwere based on using the manual sketches.
In this research we handled both the theoretical and practical approaches of the "Educational Methods". As for the theoretical one, we defined the "Education Method", its significance, types and the criteria which should be followed. While in the practical one, we illustrated the experiments implemented with the first-year students, Apparel department, Faculty of Applied Arts. We also gave a full description for the elements of experiment such as: educational method "the small mannequin", the fabric which used to drape on the small doll such as the "Calico" and the normal big fixed mannequin.
And also Giving a precise description for all the steps involved in order to achieve the intended goals due to the use of this educational tool, targeting the first-year students of Apparel department, Faculty of Applied Arts , giving a brief description around the course of "Principles of Apparel Design" subject for which the new "Educational Tool" will be used , explaining the element of "Shape", Implementing the experiment and exhibiting the students` art works appraising this educational tool and how far could it successfully achieve the desired goals.
Research Problems:
1-      During the course of "Principles of Apparel Design" subject, there was a bad need for a dimensioned educational tool to help the students in understanding the element of "Shape". Accordingly, they could be able to apply their designs directly on the small doll using the easiest and most innovative means.
2-      Despite the great importance and effectiveness of the "Educational Tool", it couldn`t obtain enough share through research, study and scrutiny processes. Besides, the students preferred to use the imported educational tools rather than trying to create local ones.
Research objectives:
1-      Depending on an innovative "Educational Tool" in order to help the instructors teaching the element of "Shape" during the course of "Principles of Apparel Design" subject.
2-      Unleash the power of the innovative thinkingfor the students to freely apply their fashion designs on the small mannequin.
3-      Directly implement their experiments on the fixed mannequin using the "Calico" fabric which previously applied on the small doll.
Research limitations:
The experiment has been implemented in the Faculty of Applied Arts with the first-year students, Apparel department. The objective was creating illuminated smart fashion design for women.
Research methodology:
Descriptive, analytical method and experimental method.
Results:
1-      There are statically significant differences between the average degrees of the pre/post cognitive test at (0.01) degree for the sake of post achievement/ cognitive test. Besides, there are statically significant differences between the average degrees of the pre/post cognitive test at (0.01) degree for the sake of post achievement/competency test, which confirms the validity of the second hypotheses.
2-      The effectiveness of using the suggested "Educational Tool" to teach the element of "Shape" during the course of "Principles of Apparel Design" subject, which confirms the validity of the first hypothesis.
3-       The success of the suggested "Educational Tool" in paving the way for the students to freely apply their innovative designing ideas during the course of "Principles of Apparel Design" subject, which confirms the validity of the third hypotheses.