EDCT 5675 - Design Thinking in the Classroom
Course Description
Design thinking is one of the most valued processes for innovation in many companies today. And for our schools and students, the design/build process is an incredible addition to the classroom -- one that is inherently student-centered, therapeutic, collaborative, creative, and focused on problem solving. It teaches 21st century skills, and can incorporate lessons in research, technology, science, math, art, history, and language. Class participants will gain an overview of the design thinking process as they apply the design thinking framework to their own curriculum in any subject, or to any school- or system-wide challenge – with great results.
Course Outline
Week 1: What is Design Thinking?
Week 2: Start Where You are, And Ask a Lot of Questions
Week 3: Discovery: Reimagining Research
Week 4: Narrowing Your Question and Designing Fieldwork
Week 5: Insight
Week 6: Creation
Week 7: Prototype
Week 8: Get Feedback
Week 9: Evolution
Week 10: Final Projects
Week 11: Reflection
Learner Outcomes
In this course participants will:
- Gain an overview of the design thinking process, how it used to innovate, and how educators are using it the classroom to teach 21st century skills and to create personalized and student-centered learning that is inclusive and teaches to all learning styles
- Learn to use design thinking as a process for tackling challenges in the classroom, and in schools and school systems in general, in order to have a beneficial impact on learning, to influence policy and to provide leadership
- Learn to apply design thinking to current curriculum or policy in order to increase engagement, creativity, innovation, accessibility, retention, and academic success
- Create a usable product or process for use in curriculum, classrooms, and/or schools.