I was fortunate to attend Google's Innovator Academy in London this past spring. I was introduced to Les McBeth of the Future Design School. She brought us through all kinds of design thinking exercises to help us map out our innovation projects. It was my favorite part of the training. I loved being given freedom to think anything in a structured way and time. For example, we had time limits, we had rules, but our ideas could be anything. Then we reflected on our ideas, we tried again, we asked for help, and we fine tuned.
Crazy 8s practice
Setting up for feedback
While recently reading more about Design Thinking and watching some videos, I took some notes. I try to sketchnote but really my doodles are pretty weak.
From my notes and reflection, I pulled some key phrases. Then I used my Word Swag app to create something more visually appealing. These statements are all great reminders when using design thinking.
Finally, I compiled some resources that I used during my time in London and have continued to lean on while back in the real world. Design thinking is something I would love to teach. I imagine during committee work it could be especially powerful. I have a huge upcoming opportunity to work on capstone projects with seniors at our high school. Design thinking will be our first steps!
Looks like you had a great time and learned a lot. I'm actually in IT in higher education and have taught graduate classes and the one thing I wonder about design thinking is, do teachers like yourself have time to implement design thinking? Myself, when I was teaching graduate classes I was told only a couple of weeks before the classes which ones they were so I didn't really have time to do anything that seems as time consuming as the Design Thinking Methodology.
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