Teens and Screens:
Imagining a Positive Relationship with Technology
University of Kentucky
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Teens and Screens:
Welcome!
Welcome!
Hi, I’m Ryan Hargrove, and I’m passionate about helping students think in new, creative ways. I’m a designer at heart and love using design thinking to tackle big, messy problems. Outside of class, I spend my time sketching, exploring new ideas, and trying to keep up with kids and their sports teams -- they have endless energy.
And I’m John Nash—no, not that John Nash, but I do love solving complex challenges. I care deeply about helping students see problems from fresh perspectives and work together to create real-world solutions. When I’m not teaching, you can find me baking biscotti or catching a good flick with my family.
We’re here to make this course meaningful, fun, and something you’ll take with you long after it ends. Most importantly, we’ll teach you the power of design thinking—a process you can use to create innovative solutions in any area of your life. Let’s get started!
Designing Better Tech Relationships
Designing Better Tech Relationships
What if you could turn scrolling into something meaningful? In TEK 300: Teens & Screens, we explore how teens and technology can have a healthier relationship. It’s not just about cutting screen time—it’s about designing better ways for tech to fit into their lives.
At the heart of this class is design thinking, a creative process that will help you understand problems deeply, brainstorm innovative ideas, and test solutions in the real world. You’ll learn by doing, working on hands-on projects that matter.
Highlights:
Highlights:
Real Problems, Real Solutions: Apply design thinking to challenges that impact teens and families.
Collaborative Teams: Work with classmates to brainstorm, prototype, and present creative solutions.
Skills for Life: Learn how to think critically, lead teams, and solve complex problems—all tools you can use anywhere.
How This Course Works
How This Course Works
The Essentials
The Essentials
Course Length and Format: This is a semester-long, highly interactive course where you’ll apply design thinking to solve real-world problems. Expect a mix of team collaboration, hands-on activities, and discussions.
Start and End Dates: We kick off on January 13 and wrap up on April 30.
Requirements: Come ready to engage, collaborate, and embrace the design thinking mindset: curiosity, creativity, and persistence. Attendance is key, as team-based learning is a central part of this course.
Course Type: This is an upper-division course, which means it’s designed to challenge you and help you develop advanced skills. You’ll learn through real-world projects, design thinking, and public presentations of your ideas.
Contact Us: You can reach us via email or set up a Zoom appointment. We’re happy to connect if you have questions or just want to chat about the course.
Graded Assignments: Your grade will come from team projects, public presentations, and a reflective portfolio where you document your design thinking journey.
Feedback: Our feedback will focus on helping you improve your process and refine your ideas. Think of it as a conversation about growth rather than just a grade.
Let’s make this an exciting and rewarding semester!
How To Be Successful In This Course
How To Be Successful In This Course
The Essentials
The Essentials
You’ve got this! Success in TEK 300 isn’t about being perfect from day one—it’s about showing up, staying curious, and being willing to try newYou’ve got this! Success in TEK 300 isn’t about being perfect from day one—it’s about engaging with the design thinking process: showing up, staying curious, and being open to experimentation.
Engage with your team: Our best students dive into team discussions, share ideas, and listen to others. Collaboration is where the magic happens.
Stay open to feedback: It’s normal to stumble early on—this course is about growth. Many students start unsure, but with practice and feedback, they end up proud of their work and confident in their skills.
Be willing to experiment: This course rewards creativity and trying new approaches. Don't worry if things don’t work perfectly the first time—that’s part of the process.
Learning Agreement
Learning Agreement
What you can expect from us:
What you can expect from us:
Support and Guidance: We’ll coach you through each phase of the design thinking process, from understanding the problem to testing your solution.
A Collaborative Environment: We’ll create a space where your ideas are valued, and it’s safe to experiment and take risks.
What we will expect from you:
What we will expect from you:
Engagement and Effort: Stay committed to the design thinking mindset: explore deeply, collaborate openly, and don’t be afraid to fail forward.
Responsibility and Communication: Take ownership of your learning and keep the lines of communication open with your team and us.
How To Register For The Course
How To Register For The Course
The class number for this course is "TEK 300."
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