Introduction

Design Thinking is a powerful methodology that fosters creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. This course equips educators with tools and strategies to incorporate Design Thinking into their classrooms, enabling students to approach challenges with confidence, empathy, and creativity.

Pre-course assessments will identify participants’ familiarity with Design Thinking principles and professional goals, ensuring a tailored and practical learning experience. Participants will receive pre-course materials, including readings, case studies, and examples of successful classroom applications, to inspire preparation.

Description

This course explores the principles of Design Thinking and their application in educational contexts. Participants will learn how to guide students through the Design Thinking process, create subject-specific lesson plans, and foster a collaborative classroom culture.

Through this training, participants will:

• Understand the five phases of Design Thinking and their practical applications.
• Build empathy skills through targeted classroom activities.
• Use brainstorming, prototyping, and testing strategies to promote creativity and problem-solving.
• Learn assessment techniques for tracking student progress in Design Thinking projects.
• Develop long-term plans to integrate Design Thinking into school curricula.

Workshops, case studies, and hands-on activities will equip educators with the confidence to transform their classrooms using Design Thinking.

Learning Objectives

1. To understand Design Thinking principles and phases for educational applications.
2. To foster empathy and collaboration through classroom activities.
3. To promote creativity and innovation using brainstorming and prototyping tools.
4. To encourage iteration and feedback to refine ideas and solutions.
5. To develop sustainable practices by integrating Design Thinking into school curricula.

Course Timetable

Day 1: Foundations of Design Thinking

• Overview: Introduction to Design Thinking principles and mindset.
• Key Topics:
  • The five phases: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test.
  • Real-life examples of Design Thinking in classrooms across various subjects.
• Practical Output: Visual representation of the Design Thinking process for classroom use.

Day 2: Empathy and Problem Definition

• Tools:
  • Persona Maps for understanding student needs.
  • Problem Statements for defining actionable challenges.
• Focus: Building empathy and identifying real-world problems relevant to students’ contexts.
• Practical Output: Develop empathy maps and problem statements tailored to student needs.

Day 3: Ideation and Prototyping

• Tools:
  • Mind Mapping software (e.g., Miro, Padlet) for brainstorming.
  • Prototyping materials such as Canva or simple physical tools.
• Focus: Generating and visualizing innovative solutions for classroom challenges.
• Practical Output: Collaborative prototype for a student-led classroom project.

Day 4: Testing, Iteration, and Assessment

• Tools:
  • Feedback forms and reflective journals for gathering insights.
  • Digital prototyping platforms (e.g., TinkerCAD) for refining ideas.
• Focus: Encouraging iteration and using assessment tools to track progress.
• Practical Output: Refined prototypes and assessment rubrics for Design Thinking projects.

Day 5: Practical Implementation and Long-Term Planning

• Activities:
  • Develop and present a Design Thinking lesson plan tailored to a specific subject.
  • Peer feedback and reflection on presented strategies.
  • Long-term integration planning for school-wide projects.
• Outcomes: Finalized lesson plan and a draft for a long-term Design Thinking implementation strategy.