Module one

What is design thinking?

Each answer on the pre-test was false.  Watch this video to learn more!

Video transcript

EDUCAUSE design thinking definition:

“Design thinking is a structured approach for human-centered, creative problem-solving that follows an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach where disparate perspectives are encouraged. The intent of design thinking is for participants to learn their way into a solution by understanding the needs of those who will ultimately use the solution being designed, brainstorming and prototyping ideas, and revising until a final product or model is established” (Warman, Greg & EDUCAUSE, 2014).

Design thinking is much like life itself.  The intention is to work through the steps in order, but your experience may take you on several paths to completion.  Teams work through five stages to find a solution.  With this non-linear process, you may go back to previous steps in order to clarify or redefine before continuing to move forward.  The only requirement is to begin with the empathy stage.  In working through the process, the designer learns to understand the target audience (empathy); articulate the problem (define); think of a solution (ideate); create a product or solution (prototype); and apply the prototype (test). 

What’s Next

The first step in our journey will be exploring the 5 stages and learning a strategy to help us solve the problem. Next, this eLearning module will explore teaching strategies and then explore GMU as well as design thinking professional resources.

Tell us something that you learned about design thinking and what you hope to learn in the rest of this module in the reply box below.

Warman, Greg, & EDUCAUSE. (2014, June 3). 7 Things You Should Know About Design Thinking. https://library.educause.edu/resources/2014/6/7-things-you-should-know-about-design-thinking