We got an email recently asking what materials the ITK team brings to their workshops. There’s a lot of work that goes into planning and prepping for workshops and most of the time, materials are the very last thing we address. After a few workshops of lugging around canvas bags filled with markers, post-it notes, and pens we decided to better organize our materials into the physical workshop kit you see in this photo.
Across our different workshops and events, here’s what ITK team recommends as the essentials:
- Tackle or Plastic Organizer box
- Sharpies (especially black and dark colors)
- Post-it/Sticky Notes (at least 2 different sizes and 3 different colors)
- White board markers
- Pens and/or Pencils
- Dot stickers for voting
- Crayons or markers
- Large 3-M sticky pads (easel mounted)
- Tape
We also try to bring 11×17 print-outs of what tools we are using or may use during the workshop. For larger group activities, we try to get larger 3’x4’ printout(s). If you can’t get your hands on those, just supplement with the 3-M easel pads. The goal is to make the data and workshop outputs accessible and visible to attendees.
How about you? What sort of materials do you bring to a workshop or session? Send photos of your workshop kits to itk@mitre.org!
Post by Aileen Laughlin