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.
This week I've learned how to laser cut paper and new tools in Illustrator/Photoshop to make t-shirt iron-on's for our School Maker Faire this weekend! #dtk12chat
I'm just applying for the teeny tiny one, and then maybe a bigger one for a summer program next summer... Not at the stage of doing anything (more) drastic within school! #dtk12chat
we are either going to go deeper in discover (researching what’s already out there in the world) or begin prepping for need-fining/empathy interviews/observations, etc. #dtk12chat#dtk12china
Hey #dtk12chat gang! Chris in Atlanta. This week I learned that physical therapy is something you should do when the doctor recommends it. #dontputitoff
A1) Mostly mindsets within our makerspace... FailFast, iterate and prototype... Some focused DT projects, like inclusive playgrounds project with 1st graders and "Greenworks" with 4th and 5th graders. Playing Extraordinairres with the 1st graders right now! #dtk12chat
we are either going to go deeper in discover (researching what’s already out there in the world) or begin prepping for need-fining/empathy interviews/observations, etc. #dtk12chat#dtk12china
Hey #dtk12chat gang! Chris in Atlanta. This week I learned that physical therapy is something you should do when the doctor recommends it. #dontputitoff
A2 Gr8 Q i believe there is room fo r a yes both (which is what I hope is the goto for most) Full onslaught DT challenges & also short rapid cycles.. Also, focusing on key aspects of the Modes #dtk12chat Its abt intentionality & clarifying
#dtk12chat A2 I've tried, with limited success, doing a 1 period DT session. A Stu gives the class a problem and the class goes through the DT process with the goal of agrreingbonba solution by the end of class
A2) I'm not sure "micro" is possible for a full DT cycle... But elements incorporated across different areas... quick iteration, mini problem-finding.
#dtk12chat
A2: In @mvschool 's entrepreneurship class, I get to do all kinds of tiny DT-inspired mini-segments: thinking of users' needs, brainstorming collaboratively, prototyping - all the pieces work fine on their own #dtk12chat
A2: Empathy through prototyping. I see an exp. w/ppl we don't know, prototyping, give/receive feedback and iteration to learn more about each other #dtk12chat
Hi everyone! Donna from SC! Every day is a design opportunity. We can wake up and see the way things are or we can wake up and look for opportunities to make things better. #dtk12chat
Yes! Not saying you do a whole cycle or rush any part but break it down into the elements before putting it back together as kids/teachers learn the process & mindsets #dtk12chat
A2) I'm not sure "micro" is possible for a full DT cycle... But elements incorporated across different areas... quick iteration, mini problem-finding.
#dtk12chat
A2 I think a legitimate struggle around “micro” type DT challenges is the shallowness/lack of depth in empathy action. The key is the attempt & as time goes one & laps r experienced, the depth of empathy will emerge #dtk12chat#DEEPdt
Q3 - As we discuss these ideas for micro-moments of DT - empathy, discovery, prototyping, bias towards action ... imagine them in and out of classroom time #dtk12chat
Hi everyone! Donna from SC! Every day is a design opportunity. We can wake up and see the way things are or we can wake up and look for opportunities to make things better. #dtk12chat
A2. I think it's neat to try a method as a standalone activity, or as part of a non-DT project or activity. Like throw a nature walk around the schoolyard into your day and practice noticing. #dtk12chat
A2: We practiced inferring/empathy using @extraordinaires thx to @Ed_by_design; also used @CityXProject to practice feedback and iterations; lots of engineering design challenges builds our mindsets of prototypes #dtk12chat
Wish I could stay.Gr8 timing 4 this topic.been interesting 2balance daily DT/mindsets practice w/bigger, deeper parts and & projects.10-12th grade DT Ss arriving 2 class now. Just launched 1st full, real-life DT challenge, designing 4 real users. Gotta run! #dtk12chat#dtk12china
I really want to support kids - and everyone - in viewing all of life as a design opportunity! Too many kids already have someone else's set path in mind by like 5th or 6th grade. Design your own path! Might still be similar to others' but be purposeful. #dtk12chat
Q3 - As we discuss these ideas for micro-moments of DT - empathy, discovery, prototyping, bias towards action ... imagine them in and out of classroom time #dtk12chat
I really want to support kids - and everyone - in viewing all of life as a design opportunity! Too many kids already have someone else's set path in mind by like 5th or 6th grade. Design your own path! Might still be similar to others' but be purposeful. #dtk12chat
Wish I could stay.Gr8 timing 4 this topic.been interesting 2balance daily DT/mindsets practice w/bigger, deeper parts and & projects.10-12th grade DT Ss arriving 2 class now. Just launched 1st full, real-life DT challenge, designing 4 real users. Gotta run! #dtk12chat#dtk12china
A4: All of them! Lol. I think brainstorming and ideating are ones that can be quickly practiced. Brainstorm why you think X happened. Ideate solutions to the westward expansion problem etc #dtk12chat
A4) The one I see the MOST is not jumping to a solution! Letting the brainstorming take its course! Kids (and adults!) STRUGGLE!!! with this one. I want to incorporate this into every activity every day... "How will we do this? Let's think of 5 different ways." #dtk12chat
Aye! I'm continually fighting the anti-buzzword reaction to "design thinking" and find it very useful to point out the usefulness of the pieces that people already do. #dtk12chat
I think that sounds lovely... I think I'd have to work at it though, so easy to start day dreaming your own mental lists; feels like a skill to build #dtk12chat
#dtk12chat A3 I can see using micro out of the class to encourage bias towards action, example encouraging people to pick up trash left behind. Bigger goal, clean building, but through micro actions
Yes! I've found for things like that or activities like 5 Whys, it really helps to do it multiple times in different ways and scenarios #dtk12chat#MicroDT
A4) The one I see the MOST is not jumping to a solution! Letting the brainstorming take its course! Kids (and adults!) STRUGGLE!!! with this one. I want to incorporate this into every activity every day... "How will we do this? Let's think of 5 different ways." #dtk12chat
#dtk12chat A3 I can see using micro out of the class to encourage bias towards action, example encouraging people to pick up trash left behind. Bigger goal, clean building, but through micro actions
A4 All parts of the process are strengthened through practice. Defining the problem needs a lot of practice. Always ask "what is the problem" #dtk12chat
Framestorming? Is that framing the problem lots of different ways? Brainstorming what the potential problem statement would be? Super interesting, and great example!
#dtk12chat
A4. This week we did two rounds of interviewing for empathy. First, with Qs planned in advance, and 2nd just following our curiosities. Then we weighed pros & cons. More empathy resulted! #dtk12chat
A4: I like this Q. The skills that propel us through DT (among other things) are asking effective questions, drawing insight from observations, establishing and maintaining relationships #dtk12chat practice for these are found in many places
A4. This week we did two rounds of interviewing for empathy. First, with Qs planned in advance, and 2nd just following our curiosities. Then we weighed pros & cons. More empathy resulted! #dtk12chat
And ease of approaching others comfortably and graciously! It's like another form of "presentation" that we don't practice enough... How to reach out to a stranger with a question, comment, or other connection.
#dtk12chat
And also going back to the problem again and again. Is what I am proposing/doing slving the actual design problem or did I walk off on a tangent without knowing. #dtk12chat
And ease of approaching others comfortably and graciously! It's like another form of "presentation" that we don't practice enough... How to reach out to a stranger with a question, comment, or other connection.
#dtk12chat
I don't have any great wisdom there... just keep pointing out the difference and the benefit of the DT mindset as the root of the appreciation of graceful solutions #dtk12chat
A4: For me empathy is process that needs most exposure/strengthening; w/science background & lots of engineering experience my ss are skilled in prototype & iteration; looking to transition more to they why behind what we build & test #dtk12chat
I completely agree. For me this has taken a turn to seek out opportunities with my SS colleagues across campus. In science and engineering we build, but the real who comes to us from SS. Helps to have awesome colleagues :) #dtk12chat
Was discussing w/a designer today who noticed many processes posted in class:
Scientific method
Engineering Process
Art Rules
DT
Discussed how DT can serve role in many of those other processes #dtk12chat
In reply to
@scitechyEDU, @ELMenardi, @BryanLakatos
Yes, not many opps! W @nwabr biomedical research essays, kids have to reach out to experts in the field to interview. Takes SO much scaffolding to help them craft an email. Not much else at school, but w my offspring... go ask that person at the zoo your question, etc. #dtk12chat
Yes, and that's why I wonder if empathy needs to be practiced first, second, and always (via micro experiences, at times) to help the DT / design distinction be clear. I wonder if it's unclear to people how they are/feel different if empathy is foreign? #dtk12chat
A5 #designthinking framework & approach is perfect launchpad for Ss to be empowered & take initiative to tackle problems, needs, & questions in their school & local community #dtk12chat
#dtk12chat A5 for my elective, I've started thinking how I can hand over more power to Ss, makes me wonder if I can have the Ss design PD for teachers, what do you want teachers to know/able to do
have you ever partnered w/lang. arts teachers? I was inspired by @Novel_Eng for ideas of using problems of characters from books Ss are reading for DT challenge; it's a fictional empathy in someways but a place to start #dtk12chat
A5: I find the Ss are natural observers, maybe not consciously, but they see/hear things others do not. It's like they already have this superpower and their Ts can show them how to use it for good :) #dtk12chat
#dtk12chat A5 for my elective, I've started thinking how I can hand over more power to Ss, makes me wonder if I can have the Ss design PD for teachers, what do you want teachers to know/able to do
#dtk12chat Lately, I am more inclined to do DT that spans a shorter time period. I sometimes think we expect students to do inquiry with the skill level of experts/adults who have broad knowledge & critical thinking gleaned from experience, education, & cognitive development.
I like the idea that communicating only in questions forces the recipient of the Q to interpret the meaning vs. addressing the Q directly with a reply #dtk12chat
In reply to
@LindseyOwn, @ELMenardi, @GHSTEAMchic, @mpowers3, @luckybydesign
Empathy-driven actions R messy, time consuming, & unpredictable. 3 areas where “some” Ts, Admins, & Schools either avoid, take shortcuts, or choose2 shortchange the process They come to the table w/ Problem identified & Solution Front Loaded. #dtk12chat The HMW has been ruined!
I see tweets everyday that fall under “design” challenge yet are labeled #designthinking as they lack real empathy driven action or gloss over it superficially #dtk12chat
In reply to
@LSpencerEdD, @mpowers3, @ELMenardi, @BryanLakatos
I wonder if we can challenge students to work in more 'curriculum' (no I don't hate kids) when we do #dtk12 as a design thinking constraint? #dtk12chat
In reply to
@scitechyEDU, @ELMenardi, @BryanLakatos, @LSpencerEdD
I am not skilled w/this yet; or haven't really have kids work on defn problem; maybe I underestimate K-5 or timing has just been off. A good goal for next year #dtk12chat
Just finishing a design thinking sprint with empathy maps created by tracking Atticus, Scout, and Jem in To Kill a Mockingbird...didn't know if it would work, but the critiques we did today revealed such a depth of understanding of character. #dtk12chat
In reply to
@scitechyEDU, @LSpencerEdD, @mpowers3, @ELMenardi, @BryanLakatos
That's interesting. How does everyone feel about the PBL and DT connection (or lack thereof)? #dtk12chat better Q what is the connection between PBL and DT?
In reply to
@ELMenardi, @scitechyEDU, @BryanLakatos, @LSpencerEdD
I think DT is an excellent way to discover the P of PBL. If the teacher presents the class with a ready-made P, the L struggles to be truly PB, I think. #hopethatmadesense#dtk12chat
In reply to
@chrisandres003, @ELMenardi, @scitechyEDU, @LSpencerEdD
Total non-answer: They can have lots of similarities and common threads, or be wholly unrelated. 😊 Maybe biggest overlap is meaningfulness? But really, that should just be "education." Or even "life."
#dtk12chat
In reply to
@chrisandres003, @ELMenardi, @scitechyEDU, @BryanLakatos, @LSpencerEdD
I think PBL can take off during the ideation/prototyping stage but of it’s not grounded with the empathy/define and loop in the feedback it’s only PBL #dtk12chat
In reply to
@chrisandres003, @ELMenardi, @scitechyEDU, @BryanLakatos
my go to (& dated yet I stand by his thoughts and tweet @ewanmcintosh every time this topic is brought up) DT Vs PBL https://t.co/f7kqfD5DTq#dtk12chat DT must have Empathy + People Its abt Possibilities.
In reply to
@LSpencerEdD, @chrisandres003, @ELMenardi, @BryanLakatos, @ewanmcintosh
Maybe interesting brain-dump activity... what are all the "types" of interactions we have with other people? Formal presentation, answerer in a Q-and-A, approaching someone with a question, spontaneous standing up when you witness injustice... #dtk12chat
A5. I think you go macro when it matters. When kids can truly make an impact, or when it matters for them. I'm coming back to our design challenge to create a caring classroom for the 2nd time this year. It's important. #dtk12chat
Time, for one. Like Erin took with her group. Not always available. The full DT cycle is super powerful, and "bootcamp" experiences exist, but true empathy (& thus true DT) require focus we can't always spare, I think. #dtk12chat
#dtk12chat Buck Institute is the (self-proclaimed) Gold standard for PBL, and I have no reason to doubt it. Their stuff is awesome. But here's a rubric for designing Project Based Learning...It's not DT https://t.co/9AYaKkuBWq
In reply to
@scitechyEDU, @LSpencerEdD, @chrisandres003, @ELMenardi, @BryanLakatos, @ewanmcintosh
#dtk12chat A6 perhaps micro vs deeper depends on the Ss, difference between training for a 5k & a marathon. If the Ss don't have the skills go micro until they are ready
A7 I want to try @chrisandres003 idea about asking students to spend 1 day (or at least one period) just observing & speaking in Qs #dtk12chat#Discovery
For example, if you are studying bioluminescence or viruses in Science, then the final design would have to include those elements but also connect to the user needs. #dtk12chat
In reply to
@LSpencerEdD, @scitechyEDU, @ELMenardi, @BryanLakatos
A6: my challenge is I don't have a class of my own, so going deep means 'borrowing' a classroom Tt & his/her class; can get tricky at an elementary school in testing season; HMW go deep in a 5 days? #dtk12chat
I think that’s a challenge as is or prioritization. The time isn’t available because we prioritize other use of it. Also need to be patient & stick with multiple iterations with it, not a one-time use for a specific unit in February. #dtk12chat
Yep. It often feels like we're taking too much time. But there's no time police. We have to give ourselves permission to do that because that's what it takes. #dtk12chat
A7: Talking in Qs with my HS students (we are going on a expedition tomorrow to see how we might make Atlanta more playful) and Observation with MS students. #dtk12chat
*rant ahead* I have issues with doing psuedo-dt. One that bothers me most was a project where the students were asked to design playground equipment for someone with a disability. The format did not include interviews with someone with a disability #dtk12chat 1/
In reply to
@scitechyEDU, @Ed_by_design, @LSpencerEdD, @chrisandres003, @ELMenardi, @BryanLakatos, @ewanmcintosh, @laura_mcbain, @k12lab
