
Nowadays it`s important to work with students using new and interesting approaches. Design thinking is one of the widely used methodologies in problem-solving and it is used everywhere. So, help your students work on the problems wisely.
Design thinking is used to solve various problems, particularly in the economic sector. We have prepared for you useful information on the implementation of this way of problem-solving in your classroom.
It might seem to you quite complicated when you hear about design thinking, but actually, it isn`t at all. Moreover, this is one of the simplest methodologies used for problem-solving. This method is based on the user, we mean the person, who has problems. The designer should cooperate with a user trying to find the ways out of the difficult situations.
This type can be used in different spheres, despite it is deeply rooted with the design. Since this way of problem-solving can be used in many cases, you can easily implement it in your classroom, independently of the age of your students and the subject you teach. Check out the following tips for a design thinking incorporation!
The problem
It is obvious that the first step is to define the problem. The scale of problems may differ, some of them can apply only to your students, other problems can be widespread ones, like environmental ones. Moreover, students can determine themselves what problems they would like to solve. For instance, the problems can be related to school, you can ask your students to write the problems down on the blackboard and then choose the one they will work on together. Students should know for sure what the user is.
You, as a teacher, should make clear how much time students will work on the project, whether it will be a two-hours project or they will work on it during the entire semester. Moreover, define the way students should work, whether they should work in pairs, in small groups or on their own.
The brainstorming
Once the problem has been chosen, brainstorming should start. Students should share the ideas of solving the problem. Before they can be divided to give interviews, some of them being in the role of the users.
Brainstorming is always positive, all the ideas should be taken into consideration. Students write their thoughts on the blackboard, some teachers use stickers, what makes the ideas flow freely.
The designing
When children have written all the solutions, they should work on the design. The way you choose for designing depends on the age group of your students and best apps to clean Mac. Small students can draw while older can create a visual digital presentation or design a 3-D object.
You should think how these solutions can be implemented and if some questions arise, then additional solutions should be also found. Everything is to be made in a logical sequence.
The presentation
When students are ready with designing, they should present their results to their peers, classmates, other groups. This step is an important one as it influences the improvement of the project, depending on the feedbacks.
The redesign
One of the main parts of design thinking is feedbacks, they are crucial for project development. Students should work on their projects all the time paying attention to what people think about this or that. This lead to a success.
Project examples
Sometimes it may be difficult for teachers to implement design thinking during their classes but there`s always a chance to try. One English teacher used this type in the process of essay writing. Students had to consider the audience as the user and the message they are to render as the problem. Other teachers worked on the classroom design together with their students using the design thinking approach.
If you haven`t used design thinking in your classroom yet, then it`s high time to! Moreover, you can find lots of interesting ideas for its implementation.