As library media specialists and technology teachers, it is absolutely necessary that as people and teachers we have the ability to adapt and change constantly. We are learning that in order to meet the needs of our students and prepare them for the workforce, we have to shift our programs more towards providing the space and the guidance for problem solving and creating. We need to lead them through the design thinking process, teach that what it means to innovate, and do it in 40 minutes a week.
THIS is not an easy task, but it is our job. It is our job to find the way to prepare our students the best way we know how. So we need to use the time to an advantage and not as an inhibitor. We may only see them once a week for 40 minutes BUT we also see them for all five or six years that they attend our school. So let’s make the most of it!
What is Design Thinking?
“Design thinking is a process for creative problem solving.” But unlike the engineering process, it focuses on building empathy for the user so you can create for the user. It recognizes that we bring our own unconscious biases into everything we do and create. These biases are recognized throughout the process as you try to create with the user and not yourself in mind.
Here is more from IDEO.
Putting a Plan in Place
Knowing you only see your students maybe 40 times per year (almost definitely less); how can you build in read alouds, library skills, and design thinking? When I first started planning, I would split my year into 4-6 units split between four marking periods; embedding read alouds and technology throughout each unit. These concepts of STEAM and maker space and design thinking were completely separate from what I was teaching. Throughout the year, each month, students had a maker space day where they could spend the entire period creating, building and designing from the maker space materials and resources.
The students love maker space day, but if I am being honest, it had no real ties to my curriculum or units. And at that time, maker space being an entirely separate piece was okay. It worked for us because we were just starting out. The vision of what it needed to be to give students that extra push was not yet a part of the program. Sometimes, you just need to start somewhere to see where you need to go.
As I gathered data and information about the students and taught myself more about maker space and design thinking, I realized that these concepts needed to be embedded throughout the year, EVERY year. To me, this would be the best way to teach them the skills to become problem solvers and innovators.
This year, I am taking the units that I already have and finding ways to embed design thinking and problem solving into them. Some will be small, guided tasks such as designing a bookmark for a partner. Some tasks will be larger like finding a way to organize the library in a new way. I am not planning on rewriting my entire year of lessons and YOU do not have to either! Where can you effectively fit in STEM and the Design Process in what you already teaching?
Perhaps you teach fairy tales, after reading The Three Little Pigs, you can try that STEM challenge where students work together to build houses out of different materials. After each group has built their house, you can walk around with the blow dryer to blow the houses over. Students can quickly see what materials worked best!
It all starts with putting a plan in place. Without a plan, the year seems to just float away from you and sometimes you look back wondering what was actually accomplished.
Get Started
Once you have a plan in place, just do it!!!! Add a little piece of the design and creation process to every class. Make sure there is a piece of your lesson where students are collaborating in pairs or in small groups, EVERY SINGLE CLASS. The skills students build when collaborating and working with others are priceless. They learn to compromise, shift perspectives, develop empathy and skills to handle conflict and disagreements. These skills are necessary for their future success.
When you teach a certain way, “your way,” all the time, it can be hard and UNCOMFORTABLE to start adding in and changing your lessons. It’s difficult to always be questioning your students and making them dig deeper because digging deeper is also uncomfortable for them. But unfortunately we learn best when we are uncomfortable. It doesn’t always feel good, but it’s where the “AHA!” moments come in. It’s where students learn best.
So get uncomfortable. Get your students out of their comfort zones, and start creating!
