This week I really found Stanford's Design Thinking Bootleg to be really interesting an inspiring. I especially found the seven different design mindsets described on the second page to be really insightful in terms of embracing a design mindset in the classroom. The two mindsets that seemed most relevant and impactful to me were the fourth and fifth mindsets, embrace experimentation and be mindful of process.
Embrace Experimentation I know that personally I have had a hard time experimenting in my classroom. My students are generally below grade level and I always feel the time crunch of moving through all of the curriculum by the end of the year. Because of these factors I often get a slightly panicked feeling when I think about experimenting in the classroom. This does not mean that I never try new strategies or tools in the classroom, but it does mean that I try plan them to a T beforehand and dismiss them quickly if they don't work exactly the way I want them to. I want to become more patient in this regard. Intellectually I know that things rarely work perfectly the first time, and that experimentation is a process of trial and error. If I stop using new strategies or tools at the first error, then I am not giving those strategies or techniques the opportunity to be successful. Be Mindful of Process This mindset encouraged designers to understand where they are in the design process and to be aware of the best methods to use in that particular stage. This not only applies the design process, but the learning process as well. It is always important for teachers, parents, and students to understand that learning is a process. We are all often stressed when it seems like students "aren't learning," but we need to remember that failure is always part of the learning process. I think if I could create a pictorial which described the learning process in a similar way to the design process, it would help students to understand that struggling is a normal and necessary part of the learning process that will not last forever. Overall I have really enjoyed thinking about the design process in education and am excited to learn more about it!
4 Comments
helen
2/25/2018 01:39:44 pm
I have been walking you walk it seems like forever, the students I wish to reach do not respond to the curriculum doled out by the state. I too, too quickly abandon ideas. In addition a problem I have had is not systematically trying out ideas and not having a good organizational method for exploring concepts. Part of the difficulty is the hiccups of what is urgent for my students "need to know" before a deadline created by others. Another difficulty, I have found is trying to experiment and change alone. I am so grateful you are in this program and they can share ideas to try.
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Mayra Cindy De la Torre
2/25/2018 02:27:18 pm
I enjoyed reading your blog and I feel the same way when it comes to trying new ideas in the classroom. I especially panic when I try new technologies with my students because if they don't work the first time I usually won't try it a second time. I have to learn and teach my students that it's ok to not understand it the first time, the more we practice the better we will get.
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Alicia Martin
2/26/2018 08:55:21 pm
I completely understand how you feel about experimenting with new things. I feel like I want to try so many things but when I try something new with my current group of students, they can't handle the change. They get so excited (or crazy) that it ends up being more stress than it's worth. But you are right that we need to be more patient and try new things. I really enjoyed your blog, I am glad I'm not the only one who feels this way.
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Madeleine
2/28/2018 07:26:28 pm
Thanks! I'm glad to know I'm not alone as well!
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