What is Design Thinking?
Design Thinking is a mindset. It is understanding that we can make change and design unique solutions in a creative way. Design Thinking pushes us past obvious, first solutions and opens our minds to design opportunities we may have overlooked.
What is the Design Thinking Process?
The Design Thinking Process is the scaffold or structure that allows for creative freedom. This flexible set of steps can push designers out of the safe, usual pool of ideas and solutions.
How can I use this with my Elementary Students?
Education and business thought leaders everywhere are crying out the need for future innovators. People who are flexible, can solve complex problems, have creative conference, can work well with others and communicate their ideas effectively. Our job as teachers is to support and build these skills in our students. Yes we teach math and reading...AND we need to teach design, revision, & empathy as well. The combination of traditional skills and the 21st century competencies provide a perfect opportunity for using Design Thinking in your classroom. Students can use design as a vehicle for learning concepts in science and social science. Math, reading and writing become necessary tools needed on the journey. When using Design Thinking, skills, subjects, and competencies are integrated in a student centered, hands on, engaging way. School becomes a place where real, meaningful work is done. Students want to come and want to learn. What more could we ask for?
How can I use this as a School Leader?
The Design Thinking Process starts with the most important mode: Empathy. Oftentimes, as schools and school programs are designed and redesigned, students, parents, and sometimes even teachers aren't part of the process. Using Design Thinking means you start with the user. Who are we designing the school, program, or object for? 99% of the time, students are the users. How often do we ask them, observe them, look through their eyes? Using this process helps us truly see the obstacles or missed opportunities in order to design for and with the true users of our solutions.
Design Thinking also provides adults with the safe space needed to build their own creative confidence. To take risks. To dream big. So often our potentially transformative ideas are poo-pooed right out of the gate. "We've tried that before and it didn't work." "But what about..." This process (if well facilitated) pushes participants past their first idea, into the nonlogical and potentially surprising ideating space. This is where true innovation and the potential to transform schools lives.
Design Thinking also provides adults with the safe space needed to build their own creative confidence. To take risks. To dream big. So often our potentially transformative ideas are poo-pooed right out of the gate. "We've tried that before and it didn't work." "But what about..." This process (if well facilitated) pushes participants past their first idea, into the nonlogical and potentially surprising ideating space. This is where true innovation and the potential to transform schools lives.
WorkshopsWe would love to join you at your school or conference to share our love for Design Thinking. All workshops are hands on and we adapt the focus to the needs of your organization.
|
CoachingLet's build a long term relationship. We can support your mindset transfomation by visiting your school, hosting you at our school and collaborating digitally.
|
