Design thinking for educators
IDEO is a global innovation company that takes on complex challenges, but uses simple procedures to help in their design thinking process. They teamed up with a school to apply their five design thinking steps to assist teachers in overcoming complex challenges requiring innovative strategies to facilitate learning.
Design thinking for educators is a creative process that helps teachers design meaningful solutions for the classroom and school. IDEO offers a free toolkit with instructions and videos for exploring the steps of design thinking.
The first phase is discovery where the challenge is defined, research is done and an approach for solving is decided. The second phase is interpretation which involves figuring out how to interpret what was researched. In the ideation phase, the light bulb comes on as an opportunity is found and a decision is made about what to create. In the fourth phase of experimentation, participants try to determine what prototype to build to execute their idea. The final step is the evolution where their product is tried and then redesign modifications are made to improve it.
A teacher used this process by asking students who hadn’t done well on the test why they didn’t access the information on the bulletin board with the answers. They told him it was too high for them to read so bulletin boards were moved down to student level for better access.
Before starting this five-step process, the challenge must be defined by describing the problem and what needs to be done about it. Solutions are designed by empathizing with people’s needs and desires. Complaints and wishes are flipped into an opportunity by asking a question that starts with, “How might we…”
Teachers pondered many aspects of how they might … change the homework policy, use their outdoor spaces, address resistant learners… A plan is created by sketching out the end goals as well as brainstorming constraints that need managing. The process gets rolling by noting indicators of success, calendaring a timeline and creating a project checklist.
Once the challenge is defined, the discovery phase is entered where knowns and unknowns are explored. Building the team as well as determining the audience helps refine the work plan. Seeking out experts and experiences helps inspire solutions for users. Writing interview questions and finding observation sites kickstarts the fieldwork research.
The second phase of interpretation is where meaning is sought from the stories that were told. As the expert was interviewed, they note memorable moments of what motivated or frustrated them. Once their point of view is identified and the opportunity is framed, the third phase is ideation where many possible design solutions are generated and refined to address the challenge.
The fourth phase is experimentation where concepts are brought to life in a prototype and feedback is sought. In the final phase of evolution, the iteration is scaled larger. They pitch the project and engage others in promoting this solution by building partnerships. The progress can be documented by capturing quotes about how the prototype has had an impact.
Design Thinking is a structured approach to generate and develop ideas that bolster creative abilities when using the five steps. This intentional process fortifies teachers understanding that they are designers who make a difference. They transform difficult challenges by generating relevant solutions that create positive impact not only in their classroom but in their school.
Teachers solve problems in classrooms daily, but it requires head space and time to devote to solution seeking. This is often enhanced by collaborative efforts and encouragement.
Sometimes it seems as if optimism is reserved for students who hit walls and say they can’t do it. Teachers remind students how much they believe in them.
When teachers hit the wall, IDEO reminded educators that applying their abilities collaboratively to larger challenges, causes solutions to emerge. When empowered, teachers make daunting changes that have a huge impact on students.
Utilizing this process helped teachers see themselves as the designers not only of their lessons and work space but of the answers to even more complex issues. They got inspired when asking students open-ended questions to collect data from them. Teachers brainstormed new ideas to address student issues and had fun experimenting to bring their abstract ideas to life as a prototype. They explored how to use the design process with students.
Design Thinking for Educators is a human-centered collaborative approach to problem solving complex issues using an optimistic experimental stance that empowers teachers to believe in their creative ability to transform real issues. Get your toolkit and try the process.