DCO Co-op Project Innovation & Inquiry Co-op Experience

Starting the Process

Module 3

The Parts of this Module Include

Idea Generation Tools and Activities

Conducting Research

Conducting Professional Interviews

Redefining your Challenge or Topic

This module helps you better understand your topic.

You’ll do activities that make you think about your topic from different points of view. You’ll also research it to make sure you understand different sides of the issue. You’ll need to interview people who work in the field so you can learn from their expert opinions.

By the end of the module, you’ll update your proposal based on what you learned.

Part 1: Mind Mapping

Mind Mapping is a tool used to help organize ideas, create connections and link like topics and is a visual way to represent a topic/idea. A mind map branches from a central idea or topic and then encourages users to think of all the sub topics or keywords associated. There is no correct way to do mind mapping as long as you are trying to put all ideas out on the table. Using a mind map can help you to start with a topic or problem in the middle and end with a bunch of ideas and connections.

Activity

Watch the two videos below to gain a better understanding of the Mind Mapping tool.

Then you will be asked to complete a Mind Map in your workbook.

Mind Mapping Explained

Duration: 5:12

Mind Mapping Tutorial

Duration: 1:45

Workbook Entry

Head to your Workbook for a reflection based on this activity titled

Module 3: Activity 1

Part 2: Empathy Mapping

Empathy mapping is a tool used in business, marketing, and design to better understand a target audience. It helps people think about how their users feel and what they need. By understanding this, they can create better products or services that meet those needs. It also helps you notice what you don’t know yet, so you can do more research before moving forward with your design.

Activity

Read through the Article linked to the right >

When creating an empathy map, think from the point of view of the people affected by your topic.

For example, if your topic is improving teen mental health, focus on teenagers. If your project is about a school tech space, think about the teachers and students who will use it.

You will be asked to complete the Empathy Map in your student workbook.

What is Empathy Mapping - A Comprehensive Guide

Workbook Entry

Head to your Workbook for a reflection based on this activity titled

Module 3: Activity 2

Part 3: Conducting Research

Now that you have some ideas, a plan, and know what you still need to learn, it’s time to do research!

Research helps you create a thoughtful, well-designed project. It can show you what others have done, what’s available, what’s missing, and what people want. Depending on your focus, research can include things like collecting data, reading academic sources, or observing. Interviews will come later in Part 4 of this module.

In this step, you’ll also learn key concepts and the right language for your topic. This will help you feel confident talking about your project during the course and in your final presentation. Taking ownership of your topic through research is important to really succeed in this co-op model.

Watch the videos below to learn more about research methods that can help you.

Choosing your Data Collection Methods

Duration: 5:16

How to Do Good Online Research

Duration: 6:34

Master the Perfect Chat GPT Prompt Formula

Duration: 8:29

Workbook Entry

Head to your Workbook for a reflection based on this activity titled

Module 3: Activity 3

Part 4: Preparing and Conducting Industry Interviews

Your task is to conduct industry interviews with a minimum of 3 connections. This will require you to find supportive people to learn from. This will be different depending on what Lens you are choosing.

Entrepreneurship Lens

Entrepreneurship Lens may lead you to interview people who are working in this field or other entrepreneurs

Example: If you are doing an entrepreneurship lens focused around making coding accessible to all you could connect with local businesses in related fields, local schools, children, parents, Tech companies, youth engagement specialists in your town, etc.

School Improvement Initiative Lens

The school improvement initiative lens may have you interview some of the key players and audience + related industry professionals like artists or contractors

Example: If you are doing a school improvement initiative lens focused around building a garden in your school you could connect with school board employees, local green houses, solar professionals, local hardware stores, environmental clubs or agencies in the area, etc.

Challenge Lens

The Challenge Focus Lens may have you reaching out to people in related industries.

Example: if you are doing a research lens and you are focused around teen mental health, you could try to connect with a mental health professional from a local agency, a school social worker, youth in your school, non profit organizations focused around mental health, doctors, etc.

Duration: 7:35

Types of Interviews

Please review the different types of interviews and some important things to consider for each type

Review the steps to arranging and conducting an effective interview below. Your workbook entry below will have a planner that reflects these steps you should use to complete this task.

Figure out what you want/need to learn from these interviews. These ‘goals’ will help you determine who you need to talk to.

Make your list of intended Interviewees... But - How do you find them? Tap on your network, your teachers network, your other teachers networks, use social media, research and connect with companies, etc.

Reach out to request a time for these interviews. You are going to want to give them a BRIEF idea of what you are doing and how they could help.
- Make sure you give them the OPTION to say yes - they do not have to meet with you, be polite and professional
- Give all details in the email (approx time commitment, flexible methods (in person, phone, online meet, etc. available times (for you)
- If needed, request your co-op teacher to review before sending

Once the details have been confirmed send a calendar invite to keep everyone on track. This will also ensure you are ready (ideally 5 mins before) your interview to be professional and respectful.

Refresh what your goals are by speaking to that person in particular, not just the project - make their time count. Your questions and focus will shift slightly per interview as you try and leverage their experiences and expertise.
- Do not simply use the same questions for each interview, the goal of these interviews is to help contribute to your overall understanding of the topic/issue at hand. Each interviewee offers their unique informed perspective to the issue and this is why you picked them.

Conduct the interview - be present, be interested, ask follow up questions, allow for small talk if it makes sense. Do not simply go into the interview as a data collection method - this is a possible networking opportunity for you as well.
- Actively listen to responses.
- Make notes or record the meeting whatever makes sense. This allows you to go back for notes, sayings, suggestions, etc.

Show appreciation - thank everyone in the interview and send a follow up email the next day to again thank them for their time and useful feedback.

Workbook Entry

Head to your Workbook to fill out a planner to use while you plan and conduct these interviews.

Module 3: Activity 4

Module 3 Complete

Before Moving on to your Check In Point please ensure you have the following items complete in your workbook:

Module 3: Activity 1 (Mind Mapping)
Module 3: Activity 2 (Empathy Mapping)
Module 3: Activity 3 (Conducting Research)
Module 3: Activity 4 (Conducting Interviews)

Time for a Check Point - Click here!

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