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.
Hey #dtk12chat peeps Im Mary from ATL enjoying life and the weather is rainy (people are freaking out about it too— I think I am missing the “real” news to tell me otherwise) :)
Ellen, usually from SF Bay Area, presently Instructor & Director of Design Thinking at Vanke Meisha Academy in Shenzhen, China. Also HCD/creativity consultant #empathy2action. On holiday island in South China Sea. Weather is HOT & HUMID! #dtk12chat#dtk12china
I don’t know they even started the Radio News LIVE one hour earlier today 4:00 instead of 5:00 (they were telling us about it at 10:00 AM) We were hiking outside today too! #dtk12chat
Not usually; some folks do -- but my new role doesn't make it easy to just up and take a class outdoors; plus, unless the outdoors is central to the learning -- I kinda hate teaching outside #alot#dtk12chat
A1 we launched the Success & Innovation Center & besides the projects completed, student accomplishments noted, fave moment came today -- student I don't know giving campus tour to 8th graders overhead saying, "That's the SIC, it's a really cool place" #dtk12chat
A1: For me the number of new lessons I tried (both indoors & out). For Ss, I'd guess the time they got to spent outside based on smiles, joy and engagement #dtk12chat
#dtk12chat A1) Most meaningful and memorable moments this year have been witnessing the joy of learning return to new-to-DT Ts and their Ss, along w/glowing community feedback.
A1: Arrived at my position in March. School culture so different here. Been awesome 2 c Ss open up! Also immersive empathy activity was very powerful & impacted their ability 3 take others perspective I present design challenge #dtk12chat#dtk12china
A1: Best moments from this last year has probably been working with kids during my empathy interviews. They were just so willing to say what they actually thought and were super involved. That is probably tied for this last week cause we launched a kickstarter #dtk12chat pt1/2
it does.. that every other day 70 min block is intriguing… makes me think about the idea of continuing ed Meaning work/learning/creating never stops bc the class ends… Ss pickup the forward progression of those b4 them (just riffing on a thought) #dtk12chat
The other part that I've had to get used to is only having one class of students every other day; the rest requires me finding willing partners w whom to experiment -- next year I'm hoping to do even more of that #dtk12chat
A2 I've become more of a #designthinking coach on campus this year, showing others how to apply the DT mindset & engage in design processes; it's been a challenging & rewarding transition from my typical classroom teaching #dtk12chat
yes and… i wonder abt learning like working on a farm or in a garden… there is always something to do yet the same people don’t have to be the only ones who do it OR as Ts we don’t have to repeat the actions simply to make sure everyone does the same #dtk12chat Onward Learning
maybe that's why, K-5 eat it up! Might also be culture & expectations. I think my students just know to expect it now so don't give it a 2nd thought #dtk12chat
A1: been able 2connect former Ss from CA 2my Ss in China who will go 2univer in US fall.many never been 2US.fears, etc. connecting w/US Ss (some who we’ve even matched univ) is a powerful experience! #empathy2action#dtk12chat#dtk12china#globalhumanconnections ❤️❤️
A2: I've noticed in my classes we have all taken the design process and made it our own. We all know what helps us come up with ideas best, so if you look at any two groups, they'll be working completely differently. #dtk12chat
that's interesting... I'll have to process that one. Some Ss might have issues w/others moving forward w/o them but I like the idea of collective goal #dtk12chat
A2 I wouldn’t say I have regressed but I do feel like I am hitting the Pause button a lot more this year. Marinating (which I think it is great thing yet puts me on the sidelines more. My “stick with the pack” mentality is losing its desire #dtk12chat
K-5 kids love outdoor learning… It does not exist enough on a daily bases for many across the board I go by schools all the time from 9-1:30 and the outside fields are almost always empty #dtk12chat
A2: been interesting 2 be back in classroom & yes but culture of the school. Good reminder of how hard it can be to see the forest thru the trees when I don’t have other like-minded thinkers around you. #dtk12chat#dtk12china
A2: Finished a year-long DT project w/5th gr; was so inspiring to see their growth; was my 1st large project and am inspired to figure out how to do more next year #dtk12chat
Back in high school, I wouldn't want to work outside cause the lighting really messed up reading, like the white pages would be too bright to look at for long, or I couldn't see what was on a computer screen. #dtk12chat
In reply to
@GHSTEAMchic, @WickedDecent, @scitechyEDU
it terms of being out there sharing, writing, demo’ing my learning & work. Also, being well versed in the latest & greatest gizmo, framework, approach to learning etc #dtk12chat Im pausing & pushing back w/ this idea that School shld be more adult like experiences too #dtk12chat
This is what I have. 70 minutes every other day. Classes of 10th-12th graders. I find it to be not enough time at all! Also, chronic absences is an issue here. Finding it hard to get traction & keep moving forward on design challenge. #dtk12chat#dtk12china
that is a great point abt comfort… the setup of outdoor learning shld not in my opinion be a another "classroom" outside yet there is something to be said abt the needed comfort of learning outside #dtk12chat
In reply to
@GHSTEAMchic, @strugbook, @WickedDecent
My 5th graders interviewed rest of staff to find their hesitations> wanted stuff to already be out there, a place for kids to sit & clear boundaries. #dtk12chat
In reply to
@scitechyEDU, @strugbook, @WickedDecent
I've lived that challenge well; it makes running design challenges tricky and ... it can be done -- sometimes have to sacrifice design process fidelity #gottakeeptheempathy#dtk12chat
This is what I have. 70 minutes every other day. Classes of 10th-12th graders. I find it to be not enough time at all! Also, chronic absences is an issue here. Finding it hard to get traction & keep moving forward on design challenge. #dtk12chat#dtk12china
my outdoor 'classroom' is a series of benches in a pie shaped wedge in the shade of our school forest #dtk12chat Oh and I got $ to build a stage out there this fall! #dtk12chat
In reply to
@scitechyEDU, @strugbook, @WickedDecent
I see on twitter for example more and more kids doing things in school settings that happen in adult work spaces and such… Im not sure I think School needs to resemble the adult world as much as it seems to be as of late (at least K-10) including the learning spaces #dtk12chat
That sounds awesome! What kind of teaching do you do out there? is it note taking? or listening to lecture? or more interactive between the kids? #dtk12chat
In reply to
@GHSTEAMchic, @scitechyEDU, @WickedDecent
I see on twitter for example more and more kids doing things in school settings that happen in adult work spaces and such… Im not sure I think School needs to resemble the adult world as much as it seems to be as of late (at least K-10) including the learning spaces #dtk12chat
Q3 What part of #designthinking would you like to change or do differently for next year? (meaning was there an aspect of DT that just sucked for you as a teacher :) #dtk12chat
Q3 What part of #designthinking would you like to change or do differently for next year? (meaning was there an aspect of DT that just sucked for you as a teacher :) #dtk12chat
#dtk12chat A3) Nothing sucky to report. I would like to include more solutions for having fun to balance out the very serious issues Ss are tackling. PS I don't think I have ever used the word tackling in a sentence b4 2nite, so thnx 4 that.
I get’cha on this one… Its why I try to always launch a design challenge with a broad topic (no HMW) to allow for Users to lead designers to define the need #dtk12chat
Wow, this is incredible—a "school forest" seems so distant from our urban school environment, but I'm sure it would nurture young people in so many ways! #dtk12chat
In reply to
@GHSTEAMchic, @strugbook, @lndeutsch, @scitechyEDU, @WickedDecent
A3 first year teaching semester long #designthinking elective for ELA credit; it worked well for me when using DT in service of understand ELA content -- not so much the other way around; wish I'd figured that out sooner #dtk12chat
Q3 What part of #designthinking would you like to change or do differently for next year? (meaning was there an aspect of DT that just sucked for you as a teacher :) #dtk12chat
I teach Career Tech and my Ss feedback is they like the culture of design thinking and workplace. But, it’s because my workplace environment treats them as creative designers. Bottom line is they want to be respected and valued for their skills, not as cogs. #dtk12chat
let’s tackle :) “include more solutions” Can you share more about what you mean by that? I want to make sure I am not misunderstanding you #dtk12chat I love using tackle
A3:not sucked, but insecure abt my pace.wonder if I’m not focused enuf on prototyping&solution Have definite thoughts&ideas how I’d run course if had whole yr. So far, immersed deep in mindset building,human connections & empathy building. #dtk12chat#dtk12china empathy2action
I should mention, I am fortunate in my setting but also firmly believe any setting can do outdoor ed. ANY plant gives opportunity to see what/who uses that micro-environment #dtk12chat
In reply to
@ElaBenUr, @strugbook, @lndeutsch, @scitechyEDU, @WickedDecent
Ellen from what I have seen in your tweets and what we have talked abt on FT… I truly believe you have hit the key parts to DT in the best possible ways You are on target! #dtk12chat
I must confess it makes me feel good to read you have been insecure about pace! I worried about this as well. But, I did find that going deeper in DT framework helped them embrace understanding in Human-Cen Design better. I still doubted myself. #dtk12chat
Catherine this is a wonderful share Thank you for joining #dtk12chat convo I agree a Teachers impact can sometimes not reveal itself for quite some time… years even!
Thx Mary.The school is so “hyper- academic”& DT class offered in engiN/sci depart so sometimes feel insecure that not ‘building’ enuf or that we are “2 lo-res.” It’s very much been about human connection & that’s a shift in school and country culture. #dtk12chat#dtk12china
I was super impressed with @GHSTEAMchic showcase @TeachersGuild last weekend. She has done some amazing work with her Ss! Motivated me to do more outside, even w/ our humidity. #dtk12chat
In reply to
@lndeutsch, @GHSTEAMchic, @ElaBenUr, @strugbook, @scitechyEDU, @WickedDecent, @GHSTEAMchic, @TeachersGuild
I’ve had spontaneous outdoor learning experiences w/middle schoolers when boys overdo the AX Body Spray. If you’ve taught middle school you know what I mean. #responding2animmediateNEED#dtk12chat#dtk12china
In reply to
@ElaBenUr, @GHSTEAMchic, @strugbook, @scitechyEDU, @WickedDecent
@TheresaShadrix and @lndeutsch I so relate too—it can make folks antsy—or stifled—and yet makes such a difference. I'm always playing with ways to mix up the pace (e.g. little sprints peppered between deeper activities)...but am still working to tune into folks' tempos.#dtk12chat
In reply to
@TheresaShadrix, @lndeutsch, @TheresaShadrix, @lndeutsch
A4 LOVE that @AWFeldpausch allowed me to work with his social studies classes to run a #designsprint for his annual "Bring Heroism to Franklin County" project; some moments of #deepdt#empathy on display #dtk12chat
