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.
Welcome to this week’s #dtk12chat! I’m going to be modding tonight’s chat, and our topic is sparks. If that seems vague, you’re right, but perhaps we might embrace ambiguity and take this journey together.
Big thanks to @sj_bartlett for her inspiration and help in designing tonight’s questions. Thanks too to @unsplash for the beautiful, free images for our questions tonight. #dtk12chat
Welcome to this week’s #dtk12chat! I’m going to be modding tonight’s chat, and our topic is sparks. If that seems vague, you’re right, but perhaps we might embrace ambiguity and take this journey together.
Jessica, Lincoln, ME 6th grade teacher. Getting through all my lesson plan and having time left is getting me fired up for what this years kids might be able to do! #dtk12chat
Jill from MN; personally fired up about the Taylor Swift concert I took my family to last night; professionally fired up to collab w/art specialists this year #DTK12chat
I'm Angela. I'm joining you from Buffalo, NY. I'm super curious about the influence of documentation on teacher satisfaction right now. And also fresh mozzarella cheese with roasted tomatoes. #dtk12chat
I'm Erin, from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. My grade 8 students are creating "Commonplace Books" this year (https://t.co/y1wfmeMArn) and they shared their first quote today. It was outstanding! Such wisdom! #dtk12chat
doing amazing work I see!! @scitechyEDU shared your great work!! Well, a lot has changed since even that message :) would love to catch up soon! #dtk12chat
In reply to
@lndeutsch, @luckybydesign, @scitechyEDU
Hey #dtk12chat Peeps I’m Mary via Atlanta Not so much fired up but I have a slow burn towards some recent set goals (hoping to be fired up shortly once the marinating & plotting aspects of goal setting completes itself)
Hi y'all! Leslie from Atlanta. I nerd out over leadership development of all kinds but am especially 🔥 up right now by designing powerful experiences to cultivate leader SEL competencies #DTK12chat
Matt from Delaware, very excited for prototyping having students design and screen print their own shirts and tell great stories documenting the work next week #dtk12chat
Hi friends! I'm Bryan from Dayton Ohio, on the move and on my phone, so I might be in and out. Still excited to learn from all you smarties. :) #dtk12chat
Hey #dtk12chat family! I'm a broken mess of a man with a brutal cold who just muscled through bracelet night at the Farmington Fair because the kids. I'll hang in there long as I can
It's when you start going beyond the four walls of the classroom and out into the community that the work deepens and the impact has huge potential. #DTK12chat
I'm fired up by it. Not to be confused with doing it super well! Still figuring that out! Can't wait to learn with and be inspired by you all! #DTK12chat
Q0. We’re going to try an experiment tonight. We’re all teachers of someone, whom we’ll call students for simplicity. Think of a topic you’re going to teach this year. We’re going to follow this topic through the rest of the questions. Tell us your topic! #dtk12chat
A0: Coming up soon for me is a natural disaster social studies unit paired with argument writing. Last year the kids determined which hurricane struck area was the worst, and we sent books to that area. Obviously things will be different year vs year #dtk12chat
A0: Framing powerful provocations that invite interpretation and divergent thinking rather than crafting tight prompts and assigning writing tasks. #DTK12chat
I’m at Mountain Brook JH teaching ELA and Broadcast Journalism. Love it! Have started introducing #designthinking with #empathy. I look so forward to this year! #dtk12chat
A shift for sure, between an invitation and a task. I heard this at IDEO when I was there a few years ago: How you invite someone impacts how they show up. #dtk12chat
A shift for sure, between an invitation and a task. I heard this at IDEO when I was there a few years ago: How you invite someone impacts how they show up. #dtk12chat
Yes, Florence is defiantly one we will be learning about. Hurricane season isn't over yet. We also use Katrina as a model for assignments. Looking towards @dosomething for some inspiration around that. #dtk12chat
This is a great way to begin to give your students voice so they can ultimately become change agents. Build a strong sense of self awareness in relation to those around them in addition to building #empathy. #DTK12chat
And it seems the slightest turn of phrase can have a huge unintended effect on how the invitation is heard and received, and thus, how they show up. #dtk12chat
A0 entrepreneurship; I'm going to really focus HARD on this and flex our @EdCorps muscles w https://t.co/LMFYH2xV73 -- last year we didn't reach full capacity at all #dtk12chat
Q0. We’re going to try an experiment tonight. We’re all teachers of someone, whom we’ll call students for simplicity. Think of a topic you’re going to teach this year. We’re going to follow this topic through the rest of the questions. Tell us your topic! #dtk12chat
Q1. Where might you go where this topic lives in the world to SPARK a design challenge or learning journey? #dtk12chat
For each of these Qs, be sure to jump in and “plus” each other’s ideas! Help them brainstorm more possibilities.
I hope to this year. And I'd love any recommendations you might have as I dive into deeper learning here. Please and thank you when you have time and no rush. #DTK12chat
Q1. Where might you go where this topic lives in the world to SPARK a design challenge or learning journey? #dtk12chat
For each of these Qs, be sure to jump in and “plus” each other’s ideas! Help them brainstorm more possibilities.
Hey #dtk12chat! sorry to miss tonight. My partner is on her way back home after being away for 3 days (if you hear any noise it's just me and the boys #mothershipconnection). I'll have to catch up later. https://t.co/e5P6Rpez1K
Days 2-4 of 5-Day #grade2#designthinking challenge. HMW redesign the school experience for a Snyder Primary Student? Options for #innovation included 1)Procedure 2) Equipment or 3)Space. Ss have gained #empathy, ideated, & prototyped. Check in for Day5! @SISDPanthera#dtk12chat
We work with adults primarily and I find that Kegan and Lahey's Diagnosing Immunity to Change process can be a powerful tool to scaffold self-awareness. https://t.co/YTl1igDDhf#dtk12chat
it's basically reimagining #SEL through a design lens - HMW design experiences that get kids to practice those skills and build #selfawareness while they do it. #dtk12chat
A1:
How might we help those affected by the/a hurricane?
How might natural resource effect a specific area?
Open to other ideas. I am still learning with HMW questions!
#dtk12chat
Yeah I actually work for a nonprofit where we have students launch passion projects (@zjonsee ). They're going to create. Thinking about the inspiration to make it next level #dtk12chat
Q1: To find the best sparks and #designchallenges, I need to find the best possible example. So learning on the land from animate and inanimate relations with an Elder for at least one full day. #DTK12chat@luckybydesign
A1) Have y'all seen this book Arsenal of Inclusion and Exclusion? I really want to use to anchor some conversations about racism and equity through inadvertent and advertent (is that a word?) design.
https://t.co/H0mPsvuIG8
(In and out tonight... making dinner) #dtk12chat
or fires out here in CA? ;)
your first HMW could lead to some great empathy work 2 find out the real needs. Ss talk to real survivors, communities, etc. What grade? Happy 2 talk thru w/u. #empathy2action#dtk12chat
A1: I think I can do this next week, as I'm supporting teachers in several contexts, and I know that they have the interest and capacity to consider distinction between invitation and task and play with this. #DTK12chat
Plus we've got 4 new rooms getting built on to our school, so some mad rivers of sand flowing down our hills. I might try to convince some to go out as long as there is no lightning #dtk12chat
Me too! So glad to join you in the chat @AngelaStockman cause you are definitely a thought partner to me! Thank you for always sharing and helping educators! #dtk12chat
In reply to
@AngelaStockman, @luckybydesign, @scitechyEDU, @WickedDecent, @AngelaStockman
Oh, so this is interesting. I was thinking of creating the challenge with/for the group I hope to serve. This is really about doing my own investigation first. Erin, that's a great idea. Thank you. #DTK12chat
The impact is always incredible...beyond what you could imagine. Uncover the learning and impact with #designthinking protocols and determine your design challenges through that process. #DTK12chat
Q2. Who might you seek in your community to SPARK your students’ curiosity about your topic? Name the people who are intimately involved with this topic, both experts and non-experts. #dtk12chat
I'm thinking of places where people WAIT for an invitation vs. places where people KNOW what persona they should be... the @stanforddschool comes to mind - you walk in and you're greeted by a "stay weird" sign... #dtk12chat
I was just going to say the same. Nothing like engaging with the unexpected. Uncommon observations there. Plenty of room for inferring and developing hunches. #DTK12chat
Gotta say, when i returned from China everything went back to normal so quickly, but every day since i’ve been back, I’m in awe of the weather where i live. it’s perfect every day. #howwejustifyhousingcosts#dtk12chat
Using our texts to help them not just walk in character’s shoes, but connecting with the what’s going on in the world. The best way to help them become global is to connect them to the real world. #dtk12chat
Hehe, I hear you. I grew up in Wisconsin and STILL feel like I must take advantage of every warm moment to get kids & students outside (not that Boston's a lot warmer...). And anyway then the snow comes and we love that too :) #dtk12chat
A2: Our students might be able to talk to a meteorologist, but I feel like we need to go outside our community to get deeper stories. Somehow talk to those in the affected areas. #dtk12chat
Wouldn't it be interesting for your students to explore extreme weather patterns that are "just part of being a Canadian/Indian/Californian/Jamaican/Nigerian/etc."? #dtk12chat
And we could still hit upon our targets by looking at past natural disasters and what went wrong. #dtk12chat
Thanks so much! This is why I love these chats.
So this is interesting because I'm always grappling with the fact that so many kids wait on invitations rather than making their own choices and moves. I have to think on this more. Where do we wait on invitations?Thinking of daughter starting freshman year of college. #DTK12chat
#dtk12chat A2) I might look to successful people to spark curiosity in a joyful mindset. Successful as defined by living in gratitude, creativity, peacefulness, community collaboration, seeking, connecting, reflecting, humor, etc.
How about people who have had their home flooded? Or who have been evacuated? Doesn't even have to be with current hurricane - bet there's some Katrina survivors that could tell a tale! #dtk12chat
I'm wondering if there's any exploration of every day things that require tons of trust that we take for granted, like banking, standing in buildings, stuff like that #dtk12chat
and that's how #schoolculture happens: words, artifacts, roles, systems... and most of the time all these signal: this is not a student owned space. #dtk12chat
In reply to
@luckybydesign, @AngelaStockman, @stanforddschool
This is something I'm trying to do better: Letting the challenge emerge from the process rather than pitching it. I need to rethink some things I've done previously as a result. #DTK12chat
This is a challenging Q bc many adults are convinced they have no hidden commitments. Humans tend to explain negative outcomes by shortcomings in others, not ourselves. We challenge leaders to ask, "What was my role" in an adverse sitch to locate the "spark" w/in them. #DTK12chat
Oh yeah - nothing big, but severe thunderstorm warnings. We were going to do a 2 mile hike to local nature park. Already rescheduled for Monday - so all good! #DTK12chat
Like your snowstorms are just normal to you. But would NOT be normal to someone from Texas. What's normal weather in different places of the world and how do they deal? #dtk12chat
Your class should totally Skype with @GA_ScienceRodva's class in Miami. They actually used DT to help them process their hurricane Irma experience. And I think they're 6th grade too (or close). #dtk12chat
In reply to
@MsMeservey, @lndeutsch, @GA_ScienceRodva
Right back at you! This is my first fall and winter in my newly empty nest. I will not be in a hockey rink seven days a week for ten months of the year. I'm giddy to be here more. You have no idea. #DTK12chat
In reply to
@TheresaShadrix, @luckybydesign, @scitechyEDU, @WickedDecent
i find it super impactful if they can experience some kind of immersive empathy. Actually experience what a character or other person is experiencing. #dtk12chat
In reply to
@TheresaShadrix, @AngelaStockman, @luckybydesign
I like the idea of visiting different places and even interviewing people a bit, using the lens of the invitation. This is a really neat idea. #DTK12chat
so... if we take this back to your original spark. could you play around with the assumption that the provocation/constraints come from you? how would it look like if you ask *them* to create the invitation? #dtk12chat
In reply to
@AngelaStockman, @luckybydesign, @stanforddschool
A2: My list is long. 😂 If I think you can help my Ss learn, I’m calling on you to teach! Just had @JehJehP in my class. Teaching copyright and emailed @AlleeWillis about permission protocol for “September”. The world is full of teachers and experts! #dtk12chat
Q2. Who might you seek in your community to SPARK your students’ curiosity about your topic? Name the people who are intimately involved with this topic, both experts and non-experts. #dtk12chat
I'm thinking about the kids who have been trained to wait on invitations. The ones who won't dive in for fear of stepping on the teacher's toes. #DTK12chat
In reply to
@luckybydesign, @EmanAboulatta, @stanforddschool
Who do we know who is joyful? And why? "Who is the most joyful person you know??" Then use the interview for empathy protocol to interview them about why! #dtk12chat
It takes patience and trust in the process. That is always a tension for facilitators but ALWAYS worth it to see what participants learn and design. #DTK12chat
I'm wondering if there's any exploration of every day things that require tons of trust that we take for granted, like banking, standing in buildings, stuff like that #dtk12chat
Yeah, I like this. I'm thinking about how to synthesize the diverse suggestions people are giving me, because each approaches this from a bit of a different angle and each has such neat potential. #DTK12chat
In reply to
@EmanAboulatta, @luckybydesign, @stanforddschool
Q3. A culture of trust is essential for empathy. How might you SPARK your students to build trust and gain empathy for the topic and those involved? #dtk12chat
I notice some groups of adults are highly resistant to this type of immersive empathy - things like role play or improv. Any thoughts about the invitation that creates safety for resisters? #DTK12chat
In reply to
@lndeutsch, @TheresaShadrix, @AngelaStockman, @luckybydesign
definitely connect with real ppl/communities/kids who have experienced a hurricane, fire, earthquake, whatever. The understanding of what they need will come from developing deep empathy. perfect opp 4 #designthinking#dtk12chat#empathy2action
In reply to
@MsMeservey, @ElaBenUr, @GA_ScienceRodva
A3: I feel like my ss would need to know how to ask good interview questions where we would need to talk to people who have been through an intense event. They would also need a background on the event before they would be able to ask their questions. #dtk12chat
have them design the space themselves - I've seen it in action with @dTechHS and it was incredible! Also, don't treat it as a #studentVoice problem; instead, it's a collaboration. how can they have active, independent roles in this space? #dtk12chat
In reply to
@luckybydesign, @AngelaStockman, @stanforddschool, @dTechHS
The fact that they can't go outside because of the weather is an experience that may help them gain empathy! How does our environment impact the way we live? #dtk12chat
In reply to
@GHSTEAMchic, @AngelaStockman, @MattCriscuolo
#dtk12chat A3) A culture of trust in relation to the topic of joy might be built by designing experiences centered on valuing personal and cultural points of view of its interpretation, causes, implications, and inhibitions.
Hmmm... and an interesting connection to a different @EiE_org challenge I do later in the year that takes place in Nepal and flooding affects their ability to get to school #DTK12chat
In reply to
@luckybydesign, @AngelaStockman, @MattCriscuolo, @EiE_org
#dtk12chat A3:My topic was unsticking big &small challenges. I was going to start w/a "challenge landscape"(folk put present challenges on stickies & post them from small to big, individual to global). Now I'm thinking to add a layer—challenges folks around them are experiencing.
Honestly, I find some adults to be the most resistant to #designthinking because they don’t control the narrative and it really does embrace student voice. I tend to focus my energy on Ss and letting their voice guide and lead. #dtk12chat
In reply to
@hazlebussey, @lndeutsch, @AngelaStockman, @luckybydesign
As @EmanAboulatta mentioned, the @stanforddschool is great example of invitation to think differently. Classic old Suburban truck in the building turned into working space. What message/invitation does that send? #dtk12chat
In reply to
@AngelaStockman, @GHSTEAMchic, @luckybydesign, @EmanAboulatta, @stanforddschool
In my (very limited) experience, you can get 60-70% of the way there by having them focus on the emotions and stories behind events. Good questions come naturally in engaging and vulnerable conversations #dtk12chat
Brilliant! This could work w adults and leaders too. Rather than roleplay, put them in a consultative situation where they have to diagnose those hidden commitments in others and coach them through. #DTK12chat
In reply to
@luckybydesign, @EmanAboulatta, @AngelaStockman, @stanforddschool
A3: Creating a culture of trust means beginning by asking students to share who they are, how they like to be treated and what is important to them. Also, a culture of plussing creates safe spaces. Yes let's! #DTK12chat
In my (very limited) experience, you can get 60-70% of the way there by having them focus on the emotions and stories behind events. Good questions come naturally in engaging and vulnerable conversations #dtk12chat
back to disaster thread… after disaster we often realize all the things we take for granted that we trust on daily basis. Roads, bridges, safety, etc, #dtk12chat
Definitely. One reason why it might be better to interview someone for whom time has removed them from the situation somewhat. https://t.co/vVltqxQm09#dtk12chat
A2: Um, well....everyone here just sparked my curiosity about invitations vs. tasks by sharing very diverse perspectives and experiences. I'm thinking I might also be able to get some different texts (print and others) in front of Ts too.... have to think. #DTK12chat
Yet it holds so much promise as a set of design principles for leading, and empowering teachers as well as students. It has much promise as a paradigm exploder of rigid and hierarchical authoritarian school cultures. #DTK12chat
In reply to
@TheresaShadrix, @lndeutsch, @AngelaStockman, @luckybydesign
A1: I've had some @mndnr people join me before as well as @CityofEagan foresters, should maybe connect with park staff; and invite others again #DTK12chat
And in the process, they're unpacking all these inhibitions and assumptions about roles WHILE they implicitly challenge them (by being the inviter not invitee...). I think that can be very powerful! #dtk12chat
In reply to
@hazlebussey, @luckybydesign, @AngelaStockman, @stanforddschool
I’ve not been to @stanforddschool but @ideo is a welcoming and inviting space, as is @pastfoundation with the use of light and space. To me, it’s the welcoming attitudes and willingness to share that are the best invitations. #DTK12chat
In reply to
@lndeutsch, @AngelaStockman, @GHSTEAMchic, @luckybydesign, @EmanAboulatta, @stanforddschool, @stanforddschool, @ideo, @pastfoundation
I was thinking about other types of immersive experiences here, but this is a great ex. Again, how u invite ppl to participate (or not), start small, opt in, small groups, partners, no on the spot experiences are some ways. #dtk12chat
In reply to
@hazlebussey, @TheresaShadrix, @AngelaStockman, @luckybydesign
What if they designed invitations and shared them in an open space. Then, people could choose the invitation they warm to, reflect on why, and share not only response but what attracted them to invite? #DTK12chat
In reply to
@luckybydesign, @EmanAboulatta, @stanforddschool
We're running out of time tonight, so we're going straight to Q5. How might the #dtk12chat community help you make this SPARK into a FIRE? How can we help sustain you? #dtk12chat
So often adults are getting in the way of students doing amazing things. #designthinking can totally be some light structure/scaffolding to let this happen #dtk12chat
In reply to
@hazlebussey, @TheresaShadrix, @lndeutsch, @AngelaStockman, @luckybydesign
#dtk12chat A3: Because it's #SEL, alot of the empathy involved is about empathizing with the SELF. So, I guess it's about HMW create ways to encourage honest reflection..
I'd love to learn more... what grade? is it in a self-contained class or a specific subject area? I've been wanting to bring this in, but don't have my own students so need to 'sell' it to a classroom teacher and try to integrate #dtk12chat
A5: The community already has! I love that the #dtk12chat community isn't afraid to step up and volunteer sometime to help a teacher they don't even know! It means a LOT. #dtk12chat
A3. creating vulnerable experiences for students to navigate. I suspect that when we're looking to connect with people rather than get something out of them we build SO much more trust #dtk12chat
A3: my Ss in China designed 4 foreign Ts.came to class & had all instructions in unknown languages but had to complete task. Worked beautifully!! Have had Ss tie up arm for day when designing 4 immobility in others Find way 2 cr8 immersive experiences #dtk12chat#empathy2action
Such geat points! We do tend to be a bit inclusive as humans and stick to those we know. I love interacting w/ people who don’t mirror me. It’s why I love the @TeachersGuild Fellows. We are a very diverse group, but invite each other into our learning experiences. #dtk12chat
In reply to
@lndeutsch, @hazlebussey, @AngelaStockman, @luckybydesign, @TeachersGuild
I'm totally projecting - but it's making me think about our work on nurturing #21stcenturyskills... people are better at creating for/advising others than for themselves, so HMW use peers to help Ss grow these skills? #dtk12chat
In reply to
@AngelaStockman, @luckybydesign, @stanforddschool
I am going to need to revisit this chat and take notes tomorrow. The ideas people are sharing with me are incredible. Yet another angle I am really loving. I could spend all year doing this. Lol! #DTK12chat
In reply to
@lndeutsch, @hazlebussey, @TheresaShadrix, @luckybydesign
A5. Keep sharing awesome work! It's so inspiring to see the depth/richness of experience created in classrooms where the norm elsewhere is just a lecture #dtk12chat
A3: Outside, outside, outside! Selfishly, I also want my students to be stewards of our environment and you make a better advocate for something you love, and you can't love something if you don't 'know' it inside and out #DTK12chat
Jill, it’s incredible! We do it in 6th and we’re pseudo self-contained. Kids change teachers for different civilizations but the concepts are taught through the same SDG goals. We swapped so that we weren’t married to the chronological order. #dtk12chat
So much yumminess in tonight’s chat! Lots to go back and read/absorb what I missed.Thank you to @luckybydesign Always deep, thought-provoking convo when she’s on the mic! #dtk12chat
