Design Thinking Workshop

Design Thinking Workshop Structure

1. Introduction (15-20 minutes)

• Objective: Introduce the concept of design thinking and its importance in the design process.

• Activities:

  • Briefly explain the five stages of design thinking: Research, Develop design ideas, Prototype and Test, Reflection.

  • Share examples of successful design thinking applications in real-world scenarios.

• UDL Considerations:

  • Use visuals and infographics to present the stages clearly.

  • Provide a handout summarizing the key points for students to refer back to.

2. Empathize (30-40 minutes)

• Objective: Understand the users and their needs.

• Activities:

  • Conduct interviews or surveys with potential users (this can be simulated if actual users aren't available).

  • Create empathy maps to visualize user insights (what users say, think, feel, and do).

• UDL Considerations:

  • Offer different formats for gathering user insights (e.g., written interviews, audio recordings, or video).

  • Encourage students to work in pairs or small groups to facilitate collaboration and support.

3. Define (20-30 minutes)

• Objective: Clearly articulate the problem based on the insights gathered.

• Activities:

  • Guide students to synthesize their findings and create a problem statement.

  • Encourage them to focus on a specific need or challenge faced by the user.

• UDL Considerations:

  • Provide templates for problem statements to help structure students’ thoughts.

  • Use graphic organizers to assist students in visualizing the key insights.

4. Ideate (30-40 minutes)

• Objective: Generate a wide range of ideas and potential solutions.

• Activities:

  • Conduct brainstorming sessions, encouraging students to think freely without judgment.

  • Use techniques like mind mapping or sketching to explore ideas visually.

• UDL Considerations:

  • Allow students to choose their preferred brainstorming method (e.g., verbal discussion, sketching, or digital tools).

  • Set a time limit to encourage quick thinking and prevent overthinking.

5. Prototype (40-60 minutes)

• Objective: Create low-fidelity prototypes of the best ideas.

• Activities:

  • Provide materials (e.g., cardboard, paper, craft supplies) for students to build their prototypes.

  • Encourage them to think about functionality and user interaction while constructing their prototypes.

• UDL Considerations:

  • Offer various prototyping tools, including digital options, for students who are more comfortable with technology.

  • Encourage collaboration by allowing students to share materials and ideas within groups.

6. Test (30-40 minutes)

• Objective: Gather feedback on prototypes and refine ideas.

• Activities:

  • Set up a gallery walk where students display their prototypes and provide feedback to each other.

  • Facilitate discussions around the strengths and areas for improvement for each prototype.

• UDL Considerations:

  • Use structured feedback forms to guide peer reviews and ensure constructive criticism.

  • Allow students to present their prototypes in pairs or small groups to reduce anxiety during presentations.

7. Reflection and Wrap-Up (15-20 minutes)

• Objective: Reflect on the design thinking process and learnings.

• Activities:

  • Lead a group discussion on what worked well, challenges faced, and insights gained.

  • Encourage students to journal their thoughts on the experience and how they might apply design thinking in the future.

• UDL Considerations:

  • Provide prompts for reflection to guide students’ thinking.

  • Allow for various reflection methods (e.g., written, verbal, or visual) to cater to different preferences.

Next Steps

Would you like to delve deeper into any specific aspect of the design thinking workshop or discuss how to adapt it for your particular student group? How can I assist you in implementing this workshop effectively?

I also invite you to share your observations and experiences from the workshop so we can continue to enhance your approach together!