Design Thinking

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

CR Resource Type

Learning Activity

Resource Provider

REMC Association of Michigan

License Type

Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike
https://www.remc.org/21Things4Students/21/15-design-thinking/

Accessibility

Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles

Approved Date

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