Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Design Thinking

Subject Area

Digital Literacy and Computer Science

Grade(s)

6, 7, 8

Overview

Design Thinking is a process for designing something to solve a problem. It shares a lot of similarities to the Engineering Design Process you might learn in a STEM class and the Scientific Method you learn in science. However, it tends to work really well with creating solutions to problems that impact humans, also known as Human-Centered Design

In this activity, you’ll work with a team to identify a problem, come up with ideas to solve it, make a prototype of your best idea, test it out and ultimately share it. Your goal is to make a positive impact on the problem you choose.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

When you have completed this activity you will:

  1. be able to use research skills to understand real-world problems and develop ideas to solve them [Innovative Designer, Knowledge Constructor]

  2. know how to use a design process to solve a problem [Innovative Designer]

  3. be able to create and test prototypes to improve on a design [Innovative Designer]

  4. be able to choose appropriate tools to organize and manage a process with team members [Innovative Designer, Global Collaborator]

  5. be able to choose appropriate tools to share my ideas with a target audience [Innovative Designer, Creative Communicator]

  6. understand Tinkercad design software basics [Empowered Learner]

  7. know how to use Tinkercad software to design their own invention that solves a problem or changes how we interact with the world [Innovative Designer]

  8. know that technology is something that solves a problem or changes how we interact with the world [Knowledge Constructor]

    Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 6

    DLCS18.6.30

    Discuss and apply the components of the problem-solving process.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:DLCS18.6.30

    Vocabulary

    • problem-solving process

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • when solving problems, one should identify the problem, identify possible solutions, evaluate to select a best solution, implement the solution, evaluate the solution and/or seek feedback.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • identify a problem.
    • identify possible solutions.
    • evaluate to select a best solution.
    • implement a solution.
    • evaluate a solution.
    • seek feedback.
    • revise an artifact based on feedback.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • problem-solving is a process that can take multiple iterations.
    Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 7

    DLCS18.7.30

    Apply the problem-solving process to solve real-world problems.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:DLCS18.7.30

    Vocabulary

    • problem-solving process

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • the steps to the problem-solving process.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • select and dissect a problem.
    • seek solutions.
    • select a best alternative.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • often there are multiple solutions to real
    • world problems.
    Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 8

    DLCS18.8.23

    Design a digital artifact to propose a solution for a content-related problem.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:DLCS18.8.23

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • that often there exists many solutions to a problem.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • design an artifact to propose a solution to a problem.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • the presentation of an artifact can be as important as the solution.
    Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 8

    DLCS18.8.25

    Create a model that represents a system.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:DLCS18.8.25

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • that systems or processes exist that may be too large to be easily observable and by creating a model of the system or process, one can then use the model in the problem-solving process.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • observe systems or processes in the real world that may require the creation of a model for the purposes of testing.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • models serve as representations of systems or processes in the problem-solving process.
    Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 8

    DLCS18.8.29

    Create an artifact to solve a problem using ideation and iteration in the problem-solving process.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:DLCS18.8.29

    Vocabulary

    • ideation
    • iteration
    • problem-solving process

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • that problem solving is a process to find the best solution.
    • that through ideation and iteration, the final product or artifact may be a more polished or appropriate solution.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • gather initial data about a topic.
    • informally propose a solution.
    • gather feedback on informal proposal.
    • design a solution to a chosen problem.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • problem-solving is a process.
    • products or artifacts may undergo many revisions after data is reviewed and feedback is received.
    Link to Resource

    CR Resource Type

    Learning Activity

    Resource Provider

    REMC Association of Michigan
    Accessibility

    Accessibility

    Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
    License

    License Type

    Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike
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