Please join us for a weekly conversation about design thinking in K12 education. We will have a variety of moderators with a wide range and depth of design thinking experiences. Each week, we will connect the dots to the design thinking methodology and how it can and will play a bigger role in today’s K12 educational arena.
Beginning to practice yoga made me want to read about it & I recently read 10% Happier by @danbharris@10percent - in it I kept reading things about mindfulness that made me think about empathy and design thinking, hence tonight's mod #dtk12chat
I’m curious whether others see similar or different connections, pitfalls or misunderstandings, and whether y’all already use or see a use for mindfulness practices in your classrooms and in your design #dtk12chat Let’s get started!
Dan in Maine, lucky enough to be the education director of the new success & innovation center at Mt. Blue Campus in Farmington, ME #dtk12chat#designthinking#edchat
Hey Laura… not sure if I have said this b4 yet I tend to try to always connect her… have you met @lndeutsch fellow DT Humanities Teacher (MS r her fav grades) #dtk12chat
I know I missed a few of you but THANKS everyone for being here! Q1 What do you think of when you think of “practicing mindfulness?” How might you define mindfulness? Do you have any experience with it? #dtk12chat
James I know I’m not supposed to say this but… he is perfect… I adore being a Housewife aka SAHM & picking up #designthinking jobs when I want too #dtk12chat how goes it with you?
Technically, I think mindfulness means focusing on your body instead of your thoughts. Theoretically, I think mindfulness means being wisely aware. #dtk12chat
Ron from NJ here teacher 3-8 grade.
A1) mindfulness being aware of the interconnectedness of world around you. Began looking at Zen & meditation few yrs ago prior to teaching or DT but funny where life takes you.
#dtk12chat
A1 When I think about #mindfulness I think about making a conscious decision to be deliberate in word & action, to be aware of one's surroundings in both body & spirit & then to use that to inform action & decision making #dtk12chat
I know I missed a few of you but THANKS everyone for being here! Q1 What do you think of when you think of “practicing mindfulness?” How might you define mindfulness? Do you have any experience with it? #dtk12chat
A1 I am not sure I do know that I act with intentionality and try very hard to have a clear & open head space for my encounters & words I receive and use #dtk12chat
A1) Mindfullness can be from meditation and breath awareness to metacognition and seeking to understand different perspectives. Hand-in-hand with DT for sure! (Also helps my nut 7-yr-old fall asleep faster.) #dtk12chat
A1 When I think about #mindfulness I think about making a conscious decision to be deliberate in word & action, to be aware of one's surroundings in both body & spirit & then to use that to inform action & decision making #dtk12chat
I know I missed a few of you but THANKS everyone for being here! Q1 What do you think of when you think of “practicing mindfulness?” How might you define mindfulness? Do you have any experience with it? #dtk12chat
I know I missed a few of you but THANKS everyone for being here! Q1 What do you think of when you think of “practicing mindfulness?” How might you define mindfulness? Do you have any experience with it? #dtk12chat
Technically, I think mindfulness means focusing on your body instead of your thoughts. Theoretically, I think mindfulness means being wisely aware. #dtk12chat
Excited To join my first #dtk12chat! Love the topic. A1 To me mindfulness is presence of being, Monotasking, noticing, observing and appreciating the beautiful human experience!
Ron from NJ here teacher 3-8 grade.
A1) mindfulness being aware of the interconnectedness of world around you. Began looking at Zen & meditation few yrs ago prior to teaching or DT but funny where life takes you.
#dtk12chat
A1: I’ve always felt a struggle to quiet my mind, but being outdoors in the evening seems to help more me center more than anything. I grew up w long Mojave desert sunsets. I miss them #dtk12chat
This is approx how I try to explain it to my daughter... She has a LOT of trouble slowing the firehose of thoughts. Trying to start with just noticing thoughts and helping them drift away instead of following the rabbit down the hole... #dtk12chat
it was awesome and not our first one. They came before school started for staff and we have 2 more scheduled. They gave great suggestions for how to use postures and stances w/curriculum @ & transitions #dtk12chat
that's interesting to me because I grew up in a relatively rural place and now feel most peaceful of mind when I visit and walk a city #nyczen#bostoncalm#austinchill#dtk12chat
I just feel more at peace, like I can breathe when I get a chance to get outside; I try to get my Ss out whenever I can for that same reason #dtk12chat
It's so hard, only so many minutes in the day. I was reminded today that anything is better than nothing. Even 1 breathing exercise is still something #dtk12chat
I just feel more at peace, like I can breathe when I get a chance to get outside; I try to get my Ss out whenever I can for that same reason #dtk12chat
Interesting… i wonder abt that with Males vs Females when it comes to multi & mono (mainly from experience pov as my hubs is a Monotasker & I am the complete opposite) #dtk12chat
A1 I have a lot of experience in failing at practising mindfulness because I didn’t truly define what that meant & felt for me. I spent time disconnecting from ‘life clutter & noise’ to figure out my true presence - it is and will be a work in progress ☺️💆🏻♀️ #dtk12chat
I had a problem with that this morning. I called @lvcoulter & rattled off all the things I had to do and when they were due and when I was done she handed me a prioritized list. I did them in that order and got so much more done! #dtk12chat
In reply to
@TheRealJamCam, @LindseyOwn, @lvcoulter
A2: I think that’s the power of DT. Multiple iterations, redefining, accepting feedback & going back to drawing board. Takes grit to not quit the idea! #dtk12chat
A2 by not being the wise sage with all the answers. Giving meaning work that creates struggle and challenge student norms and classroom norms #dtk12chat
A2: We have to allow time to reflect and give them a reason to be set their minds to a task. We must be mindful of their learning needs and set clear goals. #dtk12chat
A2 again being intentional, pausing the space around you and your students… being methodical to the point of slow motion, & not filling up the space Be ok with empty & quiet tongues #dtk12chat
Yes! And I think so much of what we do in design thinking is also a work in progress - great connection! Always growing, reflecting, revising, improving #dtk12chat
A2. We provide Ss with learning tasks that require creativity, problem solving, decision-making, ambiguity, and collaboration. We support them as they struggle through. #dtk12chat
Hey #dtk12chat - we’re looking for some questioners, seekers, disrupters, and mavericks for our 2018-19 cohort of L+D Fellows! Scholarships available. Check it out: https://t.co/p2x3QKeXC5
I have to bail out early #dtk12chat; 7 a.m. rotary breakfast presentation AND got a whole load of data to compile for our center for another meeting too
Sorry to be missing tonight’s chat. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve been on board and I miss the amazing folks in here. Unfortunately I’m having flu relapse and am completely worn out. I’ll be back soon! #dtk12chat
A2. We provide Ss with learning tasks that require creativity, problem solving, decision-making, ambiguity, and collaboration. We support them as they struggle through. #dtk12chat
oh so wonderful what’s the pups name? what kind? Ronald love that you are a dog fellow! (cats are fine too yet dogs are just something else) #dtk12chat
A2 By modelling persistence and grit, using language & behaviours we can show our Ss how it is done, more actions & conversations about how they’re feeling related to the facts and less glossy posters with growth mindset quotes #dtk12chat
A2) one resource I love is @InnSaeiFilm there are some incredible examples of mindful classrooms where kids can articulate their thinking. I’m also a huge fan of yoga in schools! #dtk12chat 🧘🏻♀️
A2: Making space for Ss to share what they love that brings them calm & focus. Might look very different from person to person & that can encourage beginners in mindfulness #dtk12chat
A2) Such a good Q... I've seen a bunch of stuff lately on grit and race in the classroom... How can we balance grit with encouragement, esp for kids who might need the encouraging more? #dtk12chat
A2 Reading! Fiction exercises the imagination and stretches out one's empathy muscles. #dtk12chat Especially literary fiction (whatever that means!) https://t.co/HKEYqC7ys0.
I love the ambiguity and discomfort of #designthinking I say discomfort in a good way personally, bc I like the unknown but spontaneity to others bc it scares them ☺️ #dtk12chat it’s best to accept that we are truly never done or finished in life and learning
A2: Start w/small challenges, open- ended, time to reflect, share & learn from others. grow to more complex problems w/layers of considerations or constraints #dtk12chat
So we've mentioned discomfort and bias toward action problem-solving as major parts of design thinking. Q3 Is there such a thing as too much problem-solving? What does that look like, feel like? Is there a role for quiet contemplation in design? #dtk12chat
A3 A VERY good question. Turns out, everything isn't a problem to be solved. A person who is always and only on the hut for a solution is doing something--maybe a few things--wrong. #dtk12chat
A3 yes, I Blieve more times than not we R & push R students 2b Solution Driven (its in our nature) Beginners Mindset is a huge approach 2utilize during #designthinking challenge yet due 2 time, nature, urgency & results driven performance/data collection we cut corners #dtk12chat
Love this: It's ok to not always fill up the space. Sometimes we are so quick to start the next thing or fill the pause #dtk12chat
& I just wrote about that: https://t.co/lbNe2BAwIt
A2 again being intentional, pausing the space around you and your students… being methodical to the point of slow motion, & not filling up the space Be ok with empty & quiet tongues #dtk12chat
A3 Prob solving is truly effective when Ss have the skill/tools & mindset to attempt & overcome the problems or even accept that they can’t solve them right now. We need to give Ss time to sit with probs deeply & solutions lightly - more time for prototyping/feedback #dtk12chat
A3 I know some of my best ideas come after I've taken my mind off of "it," whatever it is... I look away and then find the connection I need somewhere unexpected #dtk12chat
A3 I think the nature of problem-solving can lead to occasional frustration, so maybe that could be considered too much problem solving. It requires allowing time to step away and center yourself. The process allows for reflection and a pause to just BE.#dtk12chat
Lots of #dtk12chat answers about taking time, to breath, to reflect, to take some unfilled space! I know I need this in my day, and I worry students don't get enough
I agree… I wonder about the frame of using the term “passion” in K12 spaces (I use this term yet the tweet is making me reflect on it) as an adult I feel pressure of finding my passion… I wonder what a kid feels like? #dtk12chat
In reply to
@TheresaShadrix, @mrnavas, @luckybydesign, @AshAusp
A3. To be able to solve a problem from a truly human-centred place, you need to be in a constant cycle of discovery-reflection. I love the addition of Notice and Reflect to the design phases in the Liberatory Design work. https://t.co/paYbJtWmTs#dtk12chat
A3 you read my mind! There is an incredible framework by @ElaBenUr that helps kids go through the problem solving process. It’s called Innovator’s Compass. #dtk12chathttps://t.co/XqWWkqi7a2
For sure, I've tried to pause class and model my thinking, how I recognize when things aren't going well and what we/I can do to try to make things go better #dtk12chat
I've been trying to front-load potentially stressful problem-solving activities w group talk about how we deal w stress and how kids can support friends who are stressed. Anecdotal evidence points to less panic-crying on last building day for recent 1st gr project! :-) #dtk12chat
Q4 In mindfulness practice, if your mind wanders, you should “forgive yourself and gently bring it back.” Is there a parallel to this in design thinking? What can a concept of “forgiving yourself and moving on” do for students? #dtk12chat
Most of the solutions to breaking the creative rut in this Steal Like an Artist is to take a walk :) I think the guy who used to run your studio gave this book to me #dtk12chat
WHen we talk about "passion," esp w kids, I think we make it sound like you have *one* passion in your life that you must identify! I think we should emphasize that these change and aren't in stone... What's your passion for now? #dtk12chat
In reply to
@scitechyEDU, @TheresaShadrix, @mrnavas, @luckybydesign, @AshAusp
WHen we talk about "passion," esp w kids, I think we make it sound like you have *one* passion in your life that you must identify! I think we should emphasize that these change and aren't in stone... What's your passion for now? #dtk12chat
In reply to
@scitechyEDU, @TheresaShadrix, @mrnavas, @luckybydesign, @AshAusp
I've been trying to front-load potentially stressful problem-solving activities w group talk about how we deal w stress and how kids can support friends who are stressed. Anecdotal evidence points to less panic-crying on last building day for recent 1st gr project! :-) #dtk12chat
A3: Too much prob. solving only when rushing from 1 solution to next w/o thought, data or feedback; Quiet contemplation comes from interpreting failures & feedback to inform next iteration #dtk12chat
A4 I think it comes in the feedback phase when you realize you misunderstood or misinterpreted an insight during empathy phase. Instead of defending your initial prototype, you make necessary changes (my 2 cents) #dtk12chat
I think a lot of "mindful" is also just bringing to forefront the ideas and thoughts that you want to have at forefront... Kids know how to support friends, how to not run with scissors, but bringing it to the forefront always helps them do those things *better*. #dtk12chat
A4 I think there’s a parallel in making mistakes, learning from them, move on. You can’t dwell on mistakes and I think that plays out in meditation and in life. #dtk12chat
I tell my Ss this story: My daughter was trying to remember a name a book she wanted to find right before bed but w/o success. Woke her up the next morning and 1st words out of her mouth was the book title! Brains are amazing! #dtk12chat
A4. I wonder if this is what prototyping can do for kids - by trying something, we learn that nothing is permanent and everything can be iterated. We try and we move on. #dtk12chat
A4 yes, and How many classrooms have time & space & patience 4 & value in daydreaming? Im a sit N get learner LOVE lecture yet I doodle the whole time. In my experience I was told I was not paying attention. Mindfulness & Growth Mindset both needed now more than ever #dtk12chat
I'd like to use mindfulness and yoga to help some of my kids calm down and not see every stimulus as a threat or a crisis. I think they need to be taught emotions and self-awareness as much as any other subject #dtk12chat But how do you fit it in?
I wonder if it needs a Reframe Passion is so heavy, serious, lasting… Again, I wonder its implications for a kid 3rd grade 9th grade…. even a freshman in college #dtk12chat
In reply to
@luckybydesign, @LindseyOwn, @TheresaShadrix, @mrnavas, @AshAusp
Yes! I've seen this and re-looked at tools multiple times. Just haven't found the right occasion w/class to use it yet. Have you tried it @dylanfern? #dtk12chat
I think its most effective in little micro-sessions. 1 minute is a long time for kiddos and there are several yoga poses that fit into 5 minutes. Most beneficial throughout the day and can help with transition #dtk12chat
I'd like to use mindfulness and yoga to help some of my kids calm down and not see every stimulus as a threat or a crisis. I think they need to be taught emotions and self-awareness as much as any other subject #dtk12chat But how do you fit it in?
Absolutely and time to come back and change the direction of their solution (like we do in the real world) too often we move on to the next problem without purposeful iterations #dtk12chat
Please, now and later, share ideas and questions about how or why to incorporate specific mindfulness practice into the classroom! I'd love to continue collaborating on this! #dtk12chat
Exactly. One minute at a time, small routines. I used to worry that re-setting at the beginning of every class's makerspace visit would reduce actual making time by too much. But they get so much more done, more successfully, when we take the time at the beginning! #dtk12chat
We do need to reflect a bit about it. I mean, I was a licensed social worker, then a journalist, and became a teacher at 40. How could I dare define passion when mine changes? 😂 #dtk12chat
In reply to
@scitechyEDU, @luckybydesign, @LindseyOwn, @mrnavas, @AshAusp
A4: Agree w/@luckybydesign & benefits of multiple iterations and protypes; I see kids getting better & better @ letting go of 1st idea and trying something new; learn from failure #dtk12chat
ThankU @AshAusp 4 leading a gr8 convo around Mindfulness & #designthinking (which has great depth & layers we can connect to many areas of learning, living, & Creating though Empathy). Remember #dtk12chat is one 24/7 Share, connect, ask Qs, & learn https://t.co/KtgbBTwmm2
"My belief that cows have fields but that passions in motion are the privilege of the human mind has long been held against me." --George Steiner #dtk12chat
In reply to
@TheresaShadrix, @scitechyEDU, @luckybydesign, @LindseyOwn, @mrnavas, @AshAusp
