Our Ideation Phase begins on the bottom of page 18 of the document linked below.
The first phase of the design thinking process with Group 3ST was productive. However, it has taken a lot of time to make progress. Group 3ST (our group) created a Google document so that we could all contribute our thoughts and comments throughout this process. We met via a Google Hangout to determine a general topic and devise an action plan. Then, we brainstormed individually. We added ideas and pertinent questions and have reconvened to discuss our thoughts. We have collaborated to determine our main question: “How can we better deal with stereotyping in school?” However, we recognize that this question may change as we progress through the design process. We identified our main end users as students from grades six through twelve and students that range in age from eighteen to twentysix. We found a visual reminder for our topic of stereotyping and made a plan to conduct our research. We developed and administered a survey to students about stereotyping. We identified two experts, Dr. Cheryl Ward and Dr. Delores Lindsey and interviewed them individually about about their experiences with stereotyping in education.
Personally, I have contributed to the Group 3ST’s Discovery Phase in several ways. First, I have organized the requirements and prompts for our project onto one collaborative Google document. I have brainstormed on my own and added my thoughts to our Google document. I have initiated Google Hangout sessions by providing everyone with a link. Then, during our Google Hangout sessions, I have typed notes during the discussion. I have expressed my own thoughts during each session. Finally, I have helped to establish responsibilities and delineate tasks to accomplish prior to our next meeting. Our group’s main challenge has been to establish a narrow focus. Stereotyping is a broad issue and involves a number of groups of people. Our survey results and interview information should help guide our next steps in this process. Another minor, but frustrating challenge our group has faced was a technological issue. This issue arose while we were preparing to interview one of our experts. We had tried a new video application so that we could record our interview, but the application not working as planned. So, we came up with a Plan B. We used our usual Google Hangout application. However, when we did that, our voices echoed. This made understanding each other difficult. So, we had to open another Hangout for our expert and the rest of the team. Thankfully, it worked well throughout the rest of the interview. Next time I go through this process, I would do my best to allow for more time to go through Discovery Phase. It took awhile to brainstorm, write down questions, discuss, find research, and interview experts. Also, this process was so new to all of my group so it took awhile to understand what we were all supposed to be doing. Since it was so new to all of us, I was thankful that we had support from Dr. Ward and Professor Leu. This process is directly applicable to science, and specifically to problem based learning. It would be great for students to learn about a chemistry topic, and then use that learning to think about a problem that exists within the classroom, school, or community that they could solve using the design process. They could work in a small team, brainstorm ideas, and formulate questions. They could organize those ideas to narrow down their topic to determine a main question. They could design their own research, carry it out, and proceed to the next phase of the design process. I am very excited about the possibility of using the design process in my classroom and sharing the idea with my colleagues. However, I also feel like I may need to practice a bit more of the process myself before I can implement it with my students. For EDL655, Team 3ST: Jose Mendoza, Matthew Decking, Michelle Snyder, and I will be going through the design thinking process. Our focus question is currently: "How can we better deal with stereotyping in school?" |
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