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 #dtk12chat! We’re happy you’re here. Tonight’s topic is courage. We’re looking forward to exploring the connections between design thinking and courage tonight.
@luckybydesign and I will be your hosts this evening. We collaborated with @knowKMD on tonight’s questions.
Your hosts have really enjoyed exploring it together to develop these questions! We've been talking about doing it for ages and I'm thrilled for tonight! #dtk12chat
Bonnie from BC doing the #dtk12chat....
*anyone who sees can chime in on the topic of courage ....
Yeah... that means you. Diverse opinions are important!
now
Bonnie from BC doing the #dtk12chat....
*anyone who sees this tweet can chime in on the topic of courage ....
Yeah... that means you. Diverse opinions are important!
Laura from San Diego. My daughter @AlexandraRozey is teaching me courage as she enlisted in the Navy and leaves next month! Serious courage! #dtk12chat
People who teach me courage... All the kids who have been through trauma and fight their demons every day and still show up at school or return to home...
Friends in war zones doing good things ....
Cape optional
#dtk12chat
Ellen presently Instructor and Director of Design Thinking in Shenzhen, China (wow, an official title). Heart is definitely in SF Bay tho. #empathy2action human-centered design ed consultant #dtk12chat#dtk12china
A0) PS-8th gr makerspace teacher. My job is the raddest!
@lndeutsch is teaching me about courage right now! She's way outside her comfort zone, and crushing it! And also showing her vulnerability and reaching out for support.
Courage is NOT stoic, braving it alone!
#dtk12chat
A0 for #dtk12chat: I'm Brendan and I currently live in San Francisco, CA. The @TexasSpeech team is teaching me courage. A student just won the National Championship in an event called Dramatic Interpretation where she performed a piece advocating for migrant workers in the US.
#dtk12chat A1: Ela from Cambridge, MA. I'll join the moms being taught courage by their daughters. And, by all those who are building bridges in the world right now.
I was a fellow this year so got monthly video check ins w/other fellows; reminding me monthly that to take risks, embrace the process. Like monthly cheerleaders telling me to stop doubting myself & that I can do amazing things #dtk12chat
In reply to
@luckybydesign, @TeachersGuild, @scothomas
For #dtk12chat tonight, let’s journey through Design Thinking together and discover where it takes—and gives us—courage to do something that seems impossible, or that frightens us.
Welcome to #dtk12chat! We’re happy you’re here. Tonight’s topic is courage. We’re looking forward to exploring the connections between design thinking and courage tonight.
@luckybydesign and I will be your hosts this evening. We collaborated with @knowKMD on tonight’s questions.
For Q1, let’s consider the moment we embrace a challenge—along with the uncertainty and ambiguity of how it may unfold. How does this take/give courage for you or your Ss? #dtk12chat
For #dtk12chat tonight, let’s journey through Design Thinking together and discover where it takes—and gives us—courage to do something that seems impossible, or that frightens us.
A1: It took me some time to realize that if a challenge is genuinely a challenge, I know from the outset that I might likely fail. And the likelihood of potential failure is kind of liberating in a way. #dtk12chat
A1: Challenges mean uncertainty. No clear-cut right or wrong. It takes courage to venture into those murky waters. Ideas could be rejected. Scary prospect for Ss (and us!) #dtk12chat
For Q1, let’s consider the moment we embrace a challenge—along with the uncertainty and ambiguity of how it may unfold. How does this take/give courage for you or your Ss? #dtk12chat
A1. I love the infinite possibilities when we face a design challenge together. It energizes me to know that we can consider all of them and we will find a good solution. #dtk12chat
I love this! When I started learning about DT and the ways it's implemented across so many industries, I was floored. I started facilitating sessions at Google (inspired by all the work done with and by IDEO, of course!) and now run sessions w/ students & non-profits! #dtk12chat
I wonder if my students ever sensed this from me when I was in the classroom, and I wonder how to inspire it when I work with teachers now, too. #dtk12chat
I want to shout out @luckybydesign for pulling these incredible images for #dtk12chat tonight—from Unsplash and public domain images. And both @luckybydesign and @knowKMD for our collaboration on the questions.
In reply to
@luckybydesign, @luckybydesign, @knowKMD
#dtk12chat. Are we talking about fear or discomfort? I regularly take on some out-of-my comfort zone challenges so I know how to manage feelings of extreme discomfort. Fear requires a risk acceptance and still moving ahead.
The potential rejection of ideas is the scariest part, I think. It takes so much time and practice to build a culture where everyone feels confident to share. #dtk12chat
A1) Vulnerability / seeking feedback takes extra courage for me... *still!* ties my stomach up in knots to potentially be "wrong." I push to do it anyway, because honest critical feedback is always the best.
Recent final proj for #FutureGradsMOOC a great example
#dtk12chat
A1: Tried many new challenges w/Ss this year; explaining to Ss it's my 1st time too gives them courage to try & be ok w/failure; learn from mistake & try version 2.0 #dtk12chat
A1. For me embracing challenges requires courage to be 1.intentional with process & pace to be resilient&enduring 2. Vulnerable Risk taking & being uncomfortable comes easily. My personal courage needs to be reinforced and modeled in these two areas #dtk12chat
I want to shout out @luckybydesign for pulling these incredible images for #dtk12chat tonight—from Unsplash and public domain images. And both @luckybydesign and @knowKMD for our collaboration on the questions.
In reply to
@luckybydesign, @luckybydesign, @knowKMD
A1: I'm not teaching anymore but I remember how big of a role trust played in my Ss being able taking a leap. Whether it was trusting they could have a new attitude towards math (what I taught) or embracing a challenge w/ no right answer, everything was built on trust. #dtk12chat
#dtk12chat A1: It takes courage to embark not knowing how long/hard it might be. Gives courage to know there’s not one right answer and it’s ours to discover/design.
A1: I'm not teaching anymore but I remember how big of a role trust played in my Ss being able to take a leap. Whether it was trusting they could have a new attitude towards math or embracing a challenge w/ no right answer, everything was built on trust. #dtk12chat
Oh yeah. And sharing about dropping my brand new iPhone 8 in the squat toilet on my 2nd day in China was getting quite vulnerable. hee hee #dtk12chat#dtk12china
A1: If we haven't experienced extreme discomfort we might define it as fear until we try something else. #dtk12chat That being said, I can fully appreciate the cascade of chemicals that create anxiety or PTSD responses.
Not always, with adults. I'm big on experimentation and keeping it real. I give what I want to get. Sometimes, if a group expects answers instead of provocations and they catch a whiff of uncertainty, I lose. It's interesting, what makes someone credible, isn't it? #dtk12chat
A2: Truly empathizing means listening/valuing others. What if their beliefs/views differ from ours? Courage is letting them in our space & being open to learning #dtk12chat
Being willing to try something I don't know how to do, and risk it totally not working... that one comes much easier to me. :-) "Who knows!? Let's try it! Everyone have safety glasses?"
#dtk12chat
In reply to
@luckybydesign, @AngelaStockman, @LSpencerEdD
#dtk12chat A2. We so often fear other people—truly connecting with them, what they might think or say... The empathy, communication and collaboration of DT moves us through that fear, to experience the impact overcoming has on our outcomes, ourselves, our cultures.
Not anymore! :-(. I miss it dearly but I focus on content development and advocacy work within computer science education now, which has many principles and goals that overlap with design thinking! #dtk12chat
I also find that the response from audience is different if it's a man that doesn't have all the answers. Maybe thats just my EdTech background seeping in #dtk12chat
A2: Empathy extended is an invitation for students and staff to show courage because it’s s way of saying you understand, but believe that their unwanted circumstances can be overcome #dtk12chat
I don't think so. I think because if what I'm offered is a challenge, the person offering it isn't expecting me to perform. They're expecting me to problem-solve. It gives me permission. #dtk12chat
A2 Stories of true bravery fill in the blanks where total uncertainty lives. #dtk12chat Teach kids to trace the hero's journey on the page, and to understand that courage will power them through their own narratives.
A2: When your school culture is one that is safe for students to struggle/fail, then they will be more empathetic towards their peers IMHO. Having the courage to take risks will follow. #dtk12chat
A2, in an increasingly polarized thought landscape, understanding WHY someone feels the way they do can take courage. Sure, you can know how they feel, but their person is expressed by how their story gives reasons to those beliefs. WHY & learning stories can challenge #dtk12chat
Questions are welcome! I just hope I can keep up :-). I'm on the #CSFirst team at Google. Check it out at https://t.co/gWXE0csLTX. Working to bring computer science experiences to Ts and Ss around the world who don't normally get exposure. #dtk12chat
If it's a real challenge, then it's not about acing it. I can let go of that expectation and just try. And when the pressure to perform is off, it's easier to get into flow. There's a kind of....mojo and even moxy that surfaces? Thinking aloud. #dtk12chat
A2. I was talking about the tragedy o0f the #Humboldtbroncosstrong with my grade 7s today (bus crashed killed 16 hockey players/coaches). Asked them to think from the perspective of the bus driver. That took courage. They could feel his devastation. #dtk12chat
Super interesting point... I often feel myself playing up bubbly girl-ness w adults, because it feels more disarming as a woman saying "I'm excited to ask questions and figure this out alongside y'all!" I don't think I could pull off "serious expert" even if I tried...
#dtk12chat
In reply to
@LSpencerEdD, @AngelaStockman, @lndeutsch
A1: engaging a challenge is all I ask of my Ss. the next few steps we take together. selfishly I hope to strengthen the relationships w/Ss the learning and experience is the gravy #dtk12chat
A2: Having Ss empathize w/others gives them courage to realize someone else might be going through same thing & didn't know it; someone else has a story like mine #dtk12chat
A3: Being willing to speak up takes courage. Reflecting and looking at how to shift one's perspective takes courage. I found Ss always lead the way when given the chance -- they continue to amaze me with their resilience and courage when tackling challenges. #dtk12chat
Really? Maybe I overcompensate because I assume people don't take me seriously... I'm 5' tall and dress like a 10-year-old trying to look like a grown up. 😂
#dtk12chat
In reply to
@GrantLearns, @LSpencerEdD, @AngelaStockman, @lndeutsch
A3: Hmm, never thought about this, but I think prob framing builds courage by reminding Ss the solution isn't about US, but someone else. When it's close to us, may be bigger fear to fail #dtk12chat
Late to the chat. Lauren from Nashville. A2: It takes courage to empathize bc it can undo or question your worldview. It’s a vulnerable place to work within the mess and change, but it leads to beautiful growth and empathy. #dtk12chat
Glad to meet you, Brendan. What you are saying is what draws me to the people in this community. I'm rather a newbie myself. Love this chat, when I can make it. #dtk12chat
In reply to
@EduBrendan, @LSpencerEdD, @LindseyOwn, @lndeutsch
Hi y'all. Leslie joining late from ATL. My org grows edu-leaders and vibrant school culture across GA. This Q is at heart of leadership. It takes courage & humility to listen first then echo back what is heard through new lens. Must b ready for others to not agree. #dtk12chat
When I really think about it, it definitely feels like I *shouldn't* be taking that tack... But I think it's this assumption that people will see that I'm totally faking it if I aim for seriousness. Hrm... this might warrant more self-reflection. 🤔
#dtk12chat
In reply to
@AngelaStockman, @LSpencerEdD, @lndeutsch
I did this a lot when I was doing design research fieldwork in people's homes—a natural go-to for me to help them feel that they are the expert about their own lives, that I'm there to learn from them. #dtk12chat
In reply to
@LindseyOwn, @LSpencerEdD, @AngelaStockman, @lndeutsch
#dtk12chat A3) to me reframing is abstraction, remove what's unnecessary or not yet possible so you can move forward. Teach Ss how to assess what's really important to focus on
A3: when Ts or Ss reframe a challenge, they are taking a stab at establishing a context for a deeper connection w/that challenge. #dtk12chat wow the framing of these Qs
A3 Reframing requires that (a) you recognize that you've been wrong; and (b) you must change. Forces you to directly confront your status quo bias. That can hurt--and the pain requires courage. https://t.co/HCsNef4bym#dtk12chat
Probably authenticity is most important. Whatever persona or energy most naturally emanates out of you will yield highest credibility/trust. #dtk12chat
In reply to
@AngelaStockman, @LindseyOwn, @LSpencerEdD, @lndeutsch
This is what I do, especially when facilitating learning. But success depends on others having the same def of learning that I do. Sometimes, they want sit and get answers. #dtk12chat
In reply to
@ElaBenUr, @LindseyOwn, @LSpencerEdD, @lndeutsch
"The poet's, the writer's, duty is to write about these things. It is his privilege to help man endure by lifting his heart, by reminding him of the courage and honor and hope and pride and compassion and pity and sacrifice which have been the glory of his past." --WF #dtk12chat
Yes...& if they can overcome that fear, also the most powerful "aha" when we see our own challenges differently. "Oh, THAT's what actually matters to her/me/etc.!" Or we're able to play w/"What if that constraint/etc. DIDN'T matter so much...what would that do for me? #dtk12chat
A3. Oh man, courage to admit we’ve gone down the wrong path, & need to backtrack. We’ve made assumptions somewhere, or hopefully it’s just new learning. It can be easy to start into something, but can take a lot of courage to restart again (and again(and again)) #dtk12chat
YES - especially when the problem we NEED to solve is not obvious. When everyone can see the low-hanging fruit, it doesn't take courage to put a stake in the ground. But there's risk in *interpreting* underlying causes of visible symptoms. #dtk12chat
When @CDMdreamers had 3rd gr reflect on if their ideations reflected the HMW statement, it took courage for some to say "No" and let their ideas go. #dtk12chat
A3... I found a simple way to reframe a challenge was to change the nouns to verbs. Many of our biases comes through our word choice... deconstructing nouns into verbs creates a 'moving picture' of opportunities rather than static solution. #dtk12chat
A3: Also it takes courage to realize the challenge is just plain hard—yet take courage from knowing that means (1) it's a real challenge and (2) it'll inspire our greatest creativity! #dtk12chat
A3 It puts the designers in the room in a vulnerable spot where their motivations may be judged -- and that can be very scary esp for adolescent burgeoning #designthinking#dtk12chat
A3: As a teacher I feel I sometimes need courage to reframe the challenge because my timing can come at a point where the students are feeling that they have chosen the proper path and aren't willing to rethink - do I want to hear their frustrations?
A3: When we frame challenges in ways that define what matters most to all, we might have to have the courage to let go of control and what matters to us. #dtk12chat
A3 Framing/reframing can provide tremendous courage though as that new lens, that new POV may turn the impossible into the plausible and achievable -- courageous designers also need to feel they can succeed #dtk12chat#designthinking
In my job, I ask that of my colleagues a lot... They might come with a project idea pretty fleshed out, but freeze when I ask "what's the learning objective?" It's a LOT easier with folks I've built up a lot of trust with, belief that I think they're brilliant. :-)
#dtk12chat
Recent experience has taught me that sometimes, when the impossible becomes plausible, it can scare the hell out of people, too. It can be daunting. And hi Dan! #dtk12chat
A3 Framing/reframing can provide tremendous courage though as that new lens, that new POV may turn the impossible into the plausible and achievable -- courageous designers also need to feel they can succeed #dtk12chat#designthinking
That's why I love prototyping. We can test the assumptions on which our project is based. What assumptions are we making, if wrong, would cause our project to fail? #dtk12chat
What's so interesting is when leaders do this it builds credibility and trust. Love Meg Wheatley's work on shifting leader paradigm from hero to host bc it invites that reframing and downplays need for leaders to always be right. https://t.co/BvNZzvOJ6m#dtk12chat
A4: It requires courage to dream up different ideas to move a challenge forward because those ideas challenge POVs and perspectives, at times. Dissonance. #dtk12chat
So true....for many of us this is the most ambiguous, abstract moment—and yet the one that offers us the most clarity on how to move forward in our challenge, once we get through it! Doing it in real time with a class full of folks takes courage for sure. #dtk12chat
A4: It's living and breathing the spirit of design thinking. Having courage to think differently, to admit you don't know the answer, to model that behavior; all of that helps drive progress for you/an organization. Ss light up when given the opportunity to dream. #dtk12chat
Right, prototyping, especially rapid prototyping helps check “truths” for assumptions. Shipping those ideas & consistent feedback from end users also helps ensure that we aren’t building on assumptions. #dtk12chat
A3: We often have "How might we " at the beginning of a challenge. There is power is using "We might try x" throughout the process rather than just at the beginning? #dtk12chat
Witnessed this with a great team of HS seniors in their history class yesterday; such trouble with yes/ANDing to explore possibilities -- they simply didn't want to risk being wrong in front of peers #dtk12chat
A4: It requires courage to dream up different ideas to move a challenge forward because those ideas challenge POVs and perspectives, at times. Dissonance. #dtk12chat
#dtk12chat A4) different ideas means creating connections! Also, the more ideas a Ss comes up with the more comfortable it is to have your idea rejected.
Holy cow there's a #dtk12chat topic... matching design thinking with brain development. How adolescents view risk-taking, what they consider a "risk" is SO different from elementary-age kids!
and the culture here is even more extreme as far as not wanting to share out and be publicly wrong. Ss being too quiet wasn’t ever something that came up with Ss in US. ;) #dtk12chat#dtk12china
In reply to
@LindseyOwn, @luckybydesign, @WickedDecent
"But I think it's this assumption that people will see that I'm totally faking it if I aim for seriousness." Worrying that people with think you are a fraud when in truth, you're the expert #dtk12chat
In reply to
@AngelaStockman, @LindseyOwn, @LSpencerEdD, @lndeutsch
This is a 👍🏾podcast by a hostage negotiator/expert in fear and how it drives behavior. He said people do not fear failing at things that other people commonly fail at. It's failing at NEW things where fear is greatest. Dreams=new things->fear https://t.co/h7obKRsE0F#dtk12chat
A4: Dreamers are the ones that move the target further away, forcing us to keep on pushing forward. they have the courage to not accept what is easy and right in front of us #dtk12chat
Q5. Design Thinking’s focus on experimentation and iteration invites us to try, learn, and try again and again. How does this take/give, you or your Ss courage? #dtk12chat
A2: When we see others who overcome challenges, it gives us courage to endure. So, we must remember that when we are alone and facing a challenge, others may gain strength from our trials. #DTK12chat
Q4: I’ve found when leading DT with both Ts and Ss that they are often afraid to go for the wild, outrageous ideas. They keep it safe and in the box. It’s a challenge to break this mindset. Ideating can be fun & who wants to miss the fun?! #dtk12chat
A5: It's like a video game. You're not afraid to die. You play again. And again. And again. DT builds growth mindset w/low res prototypes. Didn't meet need? Build again. #dtk12chat
Q5. Design Thinking’s focus on experimentation and iteration invites us to try, learn, and try again and again. How does this take/give, you or your Ss courage? #dtk12chat
*Adults* struggle with it! Empathy and the inner lives that we hope to illuminate by cultivating it are invisible. We feel it but we learn early on to distrust our emotions. We are working on SEL for sch leaders to help Ts and Ss become more emotionally competent. #dtk12chat
In reply to
@luckybydesign, @GHSTEAMchic, @ElaBenUr
I'm wondering an awful lot about compassion fatigue lately, too. Is it that Ss struggle to empathize b/c they "can't" or because they've been called to too often? #dtk12chat
In reply to
@hazlebussey, @luckybydesign, @GHSTEAMchic, @ElaBenUr
Yes! As teachers, the first thing our kids learn from us when we stand up there in front of them is, "You are an example of what's possible." #dtk12chat
It's FASCINATING for every aspect of your life. It's about negotiating but really it's about honing emotional competency and tuning in to what others are feeling. Amazing how many lessons for parenting teenagers & toddlers to be learned from hostage negotiations. ;-) #dtk12chat
A5: Iteration means I give up all sense of perfection. Of "right." My thinking and work is always in process. It's a shift in mindset that requires courage at first. But courage, over time, feels less scary then. #dtk12chat
I wonder abt false/temp empathy... when Ss put effort into empathy, go thru DT process, but no true impact beyond cardboard prototype. Do they burn out? Where is advocacy? Make sense? #dtk12chat
In reply to
@AngelaStockman, @hazlebussey, @luckybydesign, @GHSTEAMchic, @ElaBenUr
up to kids to interpret and decide soln; a formulated worksheet is given; while I'm not a fan of worksheets it gave ss w/no experience w/this some ideas of how to frame & interpret #dtk12chat
In reply to
@LindseyOwn, @luckybydesign, @hazlebussey, @ElaBenUr, @CityXProject
I wonder abt false/temp empathy... when Ss put effort into empathy, go thru DT process, but no true impact beyond cardboard prototype. Do they burn out? Where is advocacy? Make sense? #dtk12chat
In reply to
@AngelaStockman, @hazlebussey, @luckybydesign, @GHSTEAMchic, @ElaBenUr
Interesting Q. Probably in some places that is the case, but being called to and being taught to are two different things. Also, I think one of the best ways to learn empathy is to be recipient of it. How often do Ts or Ss feel truly understood? #dtk12chat
In reply to
@AngelaStockman, @luckybydesign, @GHSTEAMchic, @ElaBenUr
A3: It takes courage to dive into a challenge w/ complete trust to share w/ everyone. It’s more than being empathetic, but also being a good listener. #dtk12chat
Q5: giving opportunity or Ss to iterate and test again is huge. We usually do a round of presenting prototypes to each other to gather feedback & then present to another “higher stakes” audience. #dtk12chat
