Evolution Phase Summary:
As I reflect upon the Evolution Phase of the Design Thinking process which my team and I engaged in to answer the question how can we promote a culture of digital citizenship, I have learned a great deal. We followed the process through identifying a need, surveyed end users, created a prototype, and finally through the presentation of our prototype and feedback of by our audience we feel we have developed a strong plan for promoting digital citizenship. The process allowed for brainstorming with my peers. I found that the most valuable experience by far. As an educator, I experience professional development in the form of being told the latest and greatest solutions to address needs. In a Design Thinking process we brainstormed and designed. It was complete creative freedom, and I enjoyed it. Personally, I was able to contribute ideas as well as find professionals who provided insightful feedback to our prototype. My team was excited to receive the feedback and was committed to addressing the questions. We were all invested in the prototype and wanted to improve it.
This matters because...
As I consider how to incorporate a similar experience among my grade level team and in the classroom with my students, I know that providing the opportunity to be authentically creative will be most valuable. Allowing my team the freedom to create and to build the trust needed to brainstorm effectively will be key. With my students, I will provide opportunity to allow them to exercise their creative minds without fear of failure. Wagner explains that everyone must be a life long learner and have 7 survival skills. The skills include critical thinking, asking questions, adaptability, initiative / entrepreneurialism, effective oral and written communication, accessing and analyzing information, and curiosity and imagination. Providing authentic opportunities to be curious and to ask the right questions, and then participate in effective collaboration is intentional learning. When I was first presented with the idea of Design Thinking, I was a bit hesitant. I wanted a rubric, example, and guidelines to a clear end product. Being challenged to design the question to be answered was completely unfamiliar. I was guarded as were my group peers, but as we explored the process our excitement of determining our own solution grew. We easily collaborated by video chats and shared resources. The experience was definitely one that was authentic collaboration and will serve in a 21st century classroom learning experience. Allow students to be architects of their own learning.
As I reflect upon the Evolution Phase of the Design Thinking process which my team and I engaged in to answer the question how can we promote a culture of digital citizenship, I have learned a great deal. We followed the process through identifying a need, surveyed end users, created a prototype, and finally through the presentation of our prototype and feedback of by our audience we feel we have developed a strong plan for promoting digital citizenship. The process allowed for brainstorming with my peers. I found that the most valuable experience by far. As an educator, I experience professional development in the form of being told the latest and greatest solutions to address needs. In a Design Thinking process we brainstormed and designed. It was complete creative freedom, and I enjoyed it. Personally, I was able to contribute ideas as well as find professionals who provided insightful feedback to our prototype. My team was excited to receive the feedback and was committed to addressing the questions. We were all invested in the prototype and wanted to improve it.
This matters because...
As I consider how to incorporate a similar experience among my grade level team and in the classroom with my students, I know that providing the opportunity to be authentically creative will be most valuable. Allowing my team the freedom to create and to build the trust needed to brainstorm effectively will be key. With my students, I will provide opportunity to allow them to exercise their creative minds without fear of failure. Wagner explains that everyone must be a life long learner and have 7 survival skills. The skills include critical thinking, asking questions, adaptability, initiative / entrepreneurialism, effective oral and written communication, accessing and analyzing information, and curiosity and imagination. Providing authentic opportunities to be curious and to ask the right questions, and then participate in effective collaboration is intentional learning. When I was first presented with the idea of Design Thinking, I was a bit hesitant. I wanted a rubric, example, and guidelines to a clear end product. Being challenged to design the question to be answered was completely unfamiliar. I was guarded as were my group peers, but as we explored the process our excitement of determining our own solution grew. We easily collaborated by video chats and shared resources. The experience was definitely one that was authentic collaboration and will serve in a 21st century classroom learning experience. Allow students to be architects of their own learning.