Part 1- Evolution Summary:
This week our group interviewed three different educators. We had three google hangout meetings where we examined our feedback and made adjustments to our program. Through the Design Thinking process our collaboration and research amplified our own understanding of the nine elements of digital citizenship. It also increased our knowledge of our students and their level of understanding of the nine elements as well as digital citizenship overall.
My individual contributions was getting feedback from an outside audience, once that was done I communicated the feedback to my group. I also researched different ways to implement summer trainings for students and staff. After we all discussed the feedback I gave my opinion on what we needed to adjust and refine in our program.
I have witnessed so many programs fail out my previous school because the lack of preparation. If an administrator or lead teacher had a good idea for a program they would implement it right away. I believe using Design Thinking would offer steps to increase the effectiveness and creativity to a program that is in the infancy stages. The systematic approach of Design Thinking also allows stages of refinement to enhance your programs effectiveness.
I had no idea what Design Thinking was before this class. When we first started using Design Thinking in our groups I was a bit skeptical, and thought it’s just another ploy that we have to experience. After a few weeks in I really started to enjoy the process of Design Thinking. My group was engaged and our creativity began to develop through each phase in Design Thinking. I agree with Tony Wagner 7 survival skills and how “students have to be creative problem solvers in this day and age”. We just can’t teach them information for the sake doing well on test, we have to give them tangible skills and teach them how to be lifelong learners.