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.
Our 2nd graders were thinking like environmental engineers today by brainstorming possible solutions to problems that exist in our environment! They even researched some projects that environmental engineers are working on right now! #TigerStrong#CollaboratoryCubs
yes and I would try to steer clear of computer tech/hardware when it comes to DT 101 as well as until designers have several laps under their belts. I totally get the value of Gsuites 4 data organization/curation Just weary of its use in a people centered experience #dtk12chat
yes & I wld try 2 steer clear of computer tech/hardware when it comes 2 DT101 even until designers have several laps under their belts I totally get the value of Gsuites 4 data organization/curation Just weary of its use in a people centered experience out of the gates #dtk12chat
Hey #dtk12chat Mary via ATL (where we close school for sprinkles & UGA)
WU: I see this as 2 different Qs I love seeing the Forest 1st My processor Fast & slow depends on material & people
A1: Chris in Atlanta. I tend to see the terrain, sky, look for fish in the creek, find cool sticks and rocks until someone says "hey isn't the forest cool?" #dtk12chat
Manuel Herrera - Saint Louis Coordinator of 1:1 Programming / Juggler / Sketchin' Fool - Warm Up - I draw the trees. Then the forest appears. #DTk12chat
I’m Margret, a middle school educator in Louisiana. I lean towards grandiose dreams, appreciate the details, and still am trying to figure out how to align dreams, realities, and intentions. :) #dtk12chat
Thank you and looove the gif! I think it’s some kind of sign that my birthday is sandwiched between David Bowie’s birthday 1/8 and his death on 1/9. #deepmeaning#someconnection#dtk12chat
Thank you and looove the gif! I think it’s some kind of sign that my birthday is sandwiched between David Bowie’s birthday 1/8 and his death on 1/9. #deepmeaning#someconnection#dtk12chat
I'm Jen from Maine. Librarian, Tech Integrator, instigator, learner. I like to look at the forest and ecosystem before analyzing individual trees. #dtk12chat
Dave Q, Director of Tech Integration in MA. Not here for a long time, just a good one. I see a connected forrest. Love this #DTk12chat opener because it reminds me of this book on my wishlist... https://t.co/FlJuKh1hp4
A1 Excited, ready, eager to dive head first #dtk12chat Q right back at cha #dtk12chat How do Ts/colleagues react when a problem solving challenge is posed/uncovered/presented?
Hmmm. Tough Q b/c I do this in many different kinds of schools and classrooms, but often, the materials I provide beside the challenge set a tone. If they feel invited to play or experiment, they're more willing to risk. Less daunting. #dtk12chat
It struck me when asked. Never thought about it before, but I'm very much forest, now that y'all ask. And that's the big feeling that rose up with my answer. #dtk12chat
A1: I work with a variety of classes that don't necessarily begin with this approach. So when I pose a challenge initially, there are some groans. It's work. And we're gonna do it.
#DTk12chat
A1 A majority are eager to jump right in by asking clarifying questions, drawing on past experiences/learning, looking for twists. Some get worried about doing it wrong and freeze while a handful rock in their seats. #DTk12chat
A1: everyone is eager. Until they’re not. And then we talk about perseverance. And how it’s ok it’s hard. And that the #nebulouscloudofcreativity will cultivate who we are. #dtk12chat
A1: depends. If they see it as a relevant problem worth solving, they approach it with a great deal of focus & intention. Helps to encourage a #problemseeker / solver mindset. #DTk12chat
A1: Varies. just had mandarin tutorial from my 7thgrade, 12yr old nephew! Loved to see him light up with excitement and passion at explaining the complexities and challenging nature of learning the language. Don’t always c this passion 4 challenge Ss. #dtk12chat#didianswertheQ
Agreed. I seem to get this more with HS students. They often times just want to know what they need to know to pass a test. Because of grades. We're working to change that attitude (slowly) to build skills not gpa. #DTk12chat
Yes, experience the same hesitations. Sometimes I like to give a question limit or time frame where I won’t answer any questions, get comfortable with being uncomfortable #dtk12chat
I get this with my elementary Ss. They're eager. They crave that challenge. HS Ss not so much. Seem more concerned about gpa rather than prob solving / critical thinking / creativity skills. #DTk12chat
ugh! I just left the lower grades for middle and upper school this school year. and somewhere along the typical path Ss lose their resliance #dtk12chat#maybeSomeoneTookIt
Yes, I always bring up Serres’s Troubadour of Knowledge-moving the “blank middle,” where there is no real direction, creates true growth. Sigh. Such a beautiful journey. #dtk12chat
Yes, going to do pre-workshop again. Then free the rest of the workshop/weekend! Super excited to attend your and @WickedDecent and @amyburvall sessions! #dtk12chat
In reply to
@lndeutsch, @WickedDecent, @timidstone, @WickedDecent, @amyburvall
A1 I love it when people take a deep breath to steady themselves and then, when the exhale, they say "OK!" and get down to work. #dtk12chat That "OK!" is always superb.
They do. I work k12 so I see the gradual decline. Theres not one factor that contributes to it. There are outside/inside forces that contribute. All you & I can do is kick it in the ass & bring excitement back #DTk12chat
A1: Because creativity and problem solving=vulnerability.
Some are self conscious. A pile of loose parts offers shelter. They can duck behind them and let the builds speak for them. Creations protect the creator that way. #dtk12chat
people are natural problem solvers & given a challenge to tackle vs a worksheet, hands down most Students choose the challenge. In my experience, Ss loved the opportunity to be free to seek, do, & solve #dtk12chat It was the adult pacing though that deflated energies
Awesome! Doing similar sessions to last year? I might have to run to Sacramento for a day. Let’s make sure we calendar time to hang out! Yay, Charlie too? #dtk12chat
In reply to
@michaelschurr1, @WickedDecent, @timidstone, @amyburvall
Oh.. I like the idea of time out before answering questions... or maybe letting them ponder it out together; or what if there was a 3 Question limit? #dtk12chat
I have the luxury of working with 4ths & 5ths and playful exploration is part of their wiring and our culture. We do not do grades so much of what we do is about the process and not the product. #DTk12chat
A1: I think they have blank stares because they are used to having a checklist of teacher wishes to go by rather than having to create the learning on their own. #dtk12chat
A1 (part deux): I think Ss qualify their tasks for fear of failure, or low interest in the task (low buy-in), OR maybe it's not "cool" and "damn the man" #dtk12chat#ijustflashedbackto8thgrade
A2 Hmmmm. Not sure I can speak for all, but speaking for myself: When the trees matter as much as the forest, I zoom in. I have to see how focusing on the tree is just as meaningful and satisfying as the forest. Or important. #dtk12chat
A2 This has been a particular challenge for me this year; I've so many Ss who just seem unable to break down the pieces; using @ElaBenUrhttps://t.co/r7aKR5uqvK has been super helpful #dtk12chat
I find this generation of students to be very solutions-oriented. When posing problems, many bring forth solutions - whether they're good or bad. Their understanding of how to leverage technology opens a lot of doors in problem solving. #dtk12chat
A1: eagerness comes from natural curiosity & I hope I encourage a positive climate that allows us to grow. But any fear of failure does need to be discussed, I think. @scitechyEDU or @lndeutsch & I talked abt perfectionism once & I hope I give space to be imperfect. #dtk12chat
A2 when it’s my jam, when I’m totally into the idea, I can spend all day getting into the nitty gritty details. Wish I could apply same level of focus all the time. Wish I had an answer! #dtk12chat
A1 We’ve been teaching kids that there is only ONE answer to every question—a fundamental flaw that seeps into the rest of our culture and politics. #DTk12chat#edchat
A2 This has been a particular challenge for me this year; I've so many Ss who just seem unable to break down the pieces; using @ElaBenUrhttps://t.co/r7aKR5uqvK has been super helpful #dtk12chat
Yeah, I'm still thinking on this, too. Something else, for me: Recognizing how mighty a tree is. How substantial. They're trees, not twigs. Matters. #dtk12chat
A1 Follow-Up: In 11th yr @ same school, been slowly building up experiences. for Ss; Kids who know me are ready to jump in, new Ss take some time to get comfortable w/un-directions #dtk12chat
I think that is the beauty of #designthinking it pushes the designers (Ss) to stay away from solutions as long as possible Empathy drives the designer, the User leads towards uncovering the true problem & solutions #dtk12chat
A2: Find their second level strengths. Do they gravitate to supporting people, a stage, process, a role? Sometime big picture people struggle to filter the input they feel/hear/see all at the same time #dtk12chat
My experiences have always been the same. We had an 8th grade honors class in my school, and I was so happy when we dissolved it and dropped the distinction. It made a difference, not to define that way. #dtk12chat
Yes, And these are very common & pivotal starting points 4 #designthinking yet Empathy drives the designer, the User leads towards uncovering the true problem & solutions #dtk12chat
Hello #dtk12chat folk. Where are we in the questions? (Just got back from a district strategic planning steering committee meeting--that's rather a long title, no?)
A2: One way that helps problem solvers understand the process, is to encourage a dialog with other problem solvers. An easy way to do this is collaborative groups. "Museum walks" also work. #dtk12chat
A2: maybe we don't try to identify the parts. maybe we look for a different lens or angle into the exploration. MAYBE this isn't the challenge for this forest seer #maybeItsTheNextOne#dtk12chat Thoughts?
I found i slowed my Ss down due to being aware of flow of schedule & trying to highlight details Ss were not considering (a little too controlling yet trying to scaffold/teach too) #dtk12chat
I think that is the beauty of #designthinking it pushes the designers (Ss) to stay away from solutions as long as possible Empathy drives the designer, the User leads towards uncovering the true problem & solutions #dtk12chat
Yes. A ton. After the first year, everyone settled down, though. It just flew in the face of middle school culture, inclusion, diversity. There was no justification. #dtk12chat
I think that is the beauty of #designthinking it pushes the designers (Ss) to stay away from solutions as long as possible Empathy drives the designer, the User leads towards uncovering the true problem & solutions #dtk12chat
A2 (cont): maybe the learning value comes from exploring the context of the problem and not the process for solving THIS one. maybe there's more success next time #dtk12chat
A2 Interview/listen to stakeholders/end users to understand their needs, perspectives, concerns. 2nd best: role play those stakeholders #DTk12chat#edchat
A2: gosh, my first instinct is always dialogue. Talk things through. Ask questions, see what fits together and builds. I need to be intentional, though, with best practices. #dtk12chat
I think that is the beauty of #designthinking it pushes the designers (Ss) to stay away from solutions as long as possible Empathy drives the designer, the User leads towards uncovering the true problem & solutions #dtk12chat
Have them lay out their work on the floor (drawings, say, or essays) and consider the map it forms. #dtk12chat Collect the details and maybe a holistic picture of their own detailed work just might emerge.
A3 #dtk12chat The deeper I go with my readings on Sch. change, the more I realize we're still after the same thing--a liberal education. No better statement than William Cronon's "Only Connect" https://t.co/9ZBPLYjmUR … (My mindmap of key points below)
A3: walk them through some "parts, purposes, and complexities" work. help them find the role of their work as it relates to others. #makeConnections#justMake#dtk12chat#makerED
In my experience (or maybe lack of having that kind of admin at my school), I realize it takes a strong, secure, human-centered leader to make that kind of change. #dtk12chat
I like this. We often times can be quick to try and solve before understanding the context. I see kids doing this when jumping into challenges. "Here's the solution!" #DTk12chat
Have them lay out their work on the floor (drawings, say, or essays) and consider the map it forms. #dtk12chat Collect the details and maybe a holistic picture of their own detailed work just might emerge.
A3 I wonder about radical collaboration Having trees & forests working in tandem is invaluable… I want 2 know HMW create a better peace & inviting setting 4 these POVs to work together w/o frustration or dread #dtk12chat (metaphors UGH Weeds & Clouds)
Oh, I love love love this! “Confronting fears acts as a release for creativity and exploration.” I wish I sketched well. What a beautiful way to think of it. Thank you. #dtk12chat
A1: I have been teaching in STEAM lab/Makerspace for 3 yrs. Ss know they will have a challenge when they spend time in the Makerspace. They love it. The Ss embrace failure. #dtk12chat
A2: If I notice a trend of moving too quickly to next design w/o reflection I stop whole class for gallery walk, table sharing, class convo and what's working and not working, encourage time to learn from others; sharing is not copying! #dtk12chat
A3 #dtk12chat The deeper I go with my readings on Sch. change, the more I realize we're still after the same thing--a liberal education. No better statement than William Cronon's "Only Connect" https://t.co/9ZBPLYjmUR … (My mindmap of key points below)
For clarification, I meant solutions-oriented in this case as a willingness to embrace the opportunities that come along with the problem, not the desire to immediately arrive at the answer. #dtk12chat
A4: The fact that #designthinking is a set of stances or as @WickedDecent calls them, postures. Not linear. Not one and done. We can shift in and out of them and use them as tools. They help us manage. #dtk12chat
#dtk12chat I'm working on a series of blog posts relating design-based learning to a liberal education using Cronon's 10 Goals. https://t.co/z7uciKL8c3 (at least three more in the hopper)
K-8 District that infuses Design Thinking into every subject and grade level. Encourage originals, and outliers to lead instead of being kept on outside. #HowMightWe#YesAnd#WhatIf common language across the board. Iterations and failure are encouraged by all! #dtk12chat
In reply to
@AngelaStockman, @lndeutsch, @ChelleShel617, @Tabschools
Q5:
What have you been reading, watching, hearing, sharing lately that might help others think about problem solving?
#dtk12chat#education#designthinking
A4: Design thinking takes a big problem (forest) and breaks it down into smaller parts (trees) to make it manageable and to keep it from being so overwhelming. #dtk12chat
A4: The fact that #designthinking is a set of stances or as @WickedDecent calls them, postures. Not linear. Not one and done. We can shift in and out of them and use them as tools. They help us manage. #dtk12chat
A3: I start each class w/a reminder of the big problem we are solving and why; try to refocus each day on big picture; more likely I catch kids caught on small detail focus and try to have individual convos around how that will help whole design #dtk12chat
How rewarding it is to work along side my great staff and students who have embraced it. #TigerStrong#dtk12chat - Follow along with my tweets and @Tabschools posts
In reply to
@AngelaStockman, @lndeutsch, @ChelleShel617, @Tabschools, @Tabschools
A5: "ready player one" or similar dystopian future fiction. or watch BladeRunner look at the mess we made with misguided innovation and "improvements" by not focusing on the USER and the possible implications of the products #dtk12chat
Q5:
What have you been reading, watching, hearing, sharing lately that might help others think about problem solving?
#dtk12chat#education#designthinking
A3: I start each class w/a reminder of the big problem we are solving and why; try to refocus each day on big picture; more likely I catch kids caught on small detail focus and try to have individual convos around how that will help whole design #dtk12chat
One day you can! I know @barrykid1 was trying to get you to join up with us. Perhaps in the near future... #dtk12chat - Doors are always open to visitors
In reply to
@WickedDecent, @AngelaStockman, @lndeutsch, @ChelleShel617, @Tabschools, @barrykid1
