SAKE: Skills And Knowledge Exchange

SAKE – Skills And Knowledge Exchange

Project Leader : Michelle Wild

Aims of project:

SAKE workshops provide an informal learning arena for skill swapping and knowledge sharing amongst students from all programmes. The workshops promote practical skills based student led learning, the chance to debate with your peers and the opportunity to enjoy the company of a truly international cohort as you begin your studies at the RCA .

Think – discussing quantum mechanics whilst learning to knit or contemplating the merits of ‘Mars bars’ over ‘Snickers’ whilst rediscovering old school electronics. SAKE focusses on what you want to learn and share.

The workshops have been developed and are organised by Michelle Wild who is a graduate of the RCA. Michelle has worked with and supplied textiles to an international list of clients including Eva Jiricna Architects UK, Jack Lenor Larsen New York , Barneys Japan, Takashimaya New York and Neisha Crosland UK . Michelle has taught at many of the UK’s leading creative institutions including the RCA.

Describing the potential of the workshops, Michelle says, ‘I see the skills that the RCA students arrive with as an underused resource. SAKE workshops aim to harness and share student skills through informal, low tech, student led workshops. The informal atmosphere of the workshops allow, not only for skill and knowledge exchange, but provide a relaxed and inclusive learning environment, centred in the student domain and emanating from a position of equality. Having developed and facilitated numerous peer learning methodologies over many years, I have confidence in the positives that such methodologies could bring to students at the RCA.’  

Pre-workshop : Project leader collects and collates skillset information from signed up students.

Day 1 (Monday)

AM – Brief introduction and group settles. ‘Teachers’ begin demonstrations with groups of ‘learners’. Discussions commence.

Lunch – 1-2 pm, participants may choose to continue discussions over lunch

PM – ‘Teachers’ and’ learners’ swap and discussions continue. In the last hour , in discussion with the participants we add to the planning of Day 2 together. The focus is on the quality of experience and learning not the quality of the artefacts.

Day 2 (Thursday)

AM -workshop session informed and advanced by participant discussions on Day 1. The aim is for participants to lead. Participants may wish to : Develop skills to a more advanced level in groups. Learn a different skill. Teach a different skill. Try teaching a skill for the first time. Project leader acts as facilitator, observing and ask questions as necessary.

Lunch 1 – 2pm

PM 

2-3pm- Mini crit and discussion on what the participants feel that they have learned.

3-5 pm – Collate and reflect on feedback.