Design Thinking

A project centered around stuffed animals can help young learners become keen observers, think critically, and make decisions that support diversity.

On a mission to reimagine traditional schooling, a K–8 school in San Diego puts teachers and students at the center.

These strategies for using the annual competition for project-based learning can help engage students in US history and promote design thinking.

Educators take on the role of guides and motivate students to direct their own learning.

When teachers provide students with multiple ways to show their learning, they can also develop different ways to assess that learning.

Students learn to empathize with others around the globe while solving real-world problems.

While empathy is the first step in the design thinking process, keep your students focused on this necessary element as they move through definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing.

A school district uses monthly missions in its design studios to increase student and teacher engagement and foster self-directed learning.

A well-designed STEM activity helps elementary students understand the basics of physics and design thinking.

All points of arts integration -- from benefits and implementation to linking the arts with core curriculum -- are covered in this roundup of useful Edutopia blog posts, articles, and videos.

Using design thinking and no more equipment than a smartphone, students can begin to explore their world through film.

To maximize learning potential, classrooms should be open, comfortable, well lit, and visually stimulating. Strategic use of existing space can make a big difference, too.

As a model for reframing methods and outcomes, design thinking reconnects educators to their creativity and aspirations for helping students develop as deep thinkers and doers.

 

English language arts teachers can borrow design thinking from STEM classes to support a deep understanding of literary characters.