Problem Based Learning with Design Thinking

Our private school system provides PD for teachers based on areas of interest. This year, I have been taking a course on design thinking and problem based learning. I took the project based learning intensive at Buck Institute, in Napa Valley, a few years ago with a couple of my coworkers, but I had not heard much about problem based learning, so this study group has been my intro into that world. Both are pretty similar, but problem based learning starts with a problem and students need to find a solution and create a product or solution around that problem. They follow the design thinking model.

Design Thinking

Design thinking is student centered. It is a process that works students through the following steps:

• Identify a Problem
• Understand People's Needs
• Brainstorm Ideas
• Create Solutions
• Test & Improve Them

Let's take a look at how this breaks down.

1. Understand the Problem

In this stage, students:

• Ask Questions
• Observe Others
• Try to Understand Feelings & Need

For example, "How do students feel during indoor recess?"

2. State the Problem

In this part, students:

• Narrow Down a Problem
• Turn it into a Goal

For example: "We need better indoor recess activities that will keep everyone engaged."

3. Brainstorm Solutions (Ideate)

Here students will:

• Generate lots of Ideas (without judgement)
• Think Creatively

Example ideas: 

• Create a System for Games
• Design Quiet Challenge Cards
• Build Mini STEM Kits

4. Create a Model (Prototype)

Students will:

• Build/Design Their Idea
• This can be a Simple Rendering with Craft Materials

5. Test & Improve

Students:

• Try Their Solution
• Get Feedback from Others
• Improve It

For example classmates can suggest improvements after trying games.

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Why Teachers Use Design Thinking

• Builds problem-solving skills
• Encourages student voice & choice
• Promotes collaboration
• Connects learning to real-world situations
• Works across subjects (math, reading, science, social studies)

How I Grew in My Understanding of Design Thinking

After being involved in the PD this year, I had the opportunity to be a judge for an Innovation X program where students were judged on their innovation projects which happened to be based on project based learning & design thinking. If you can go to see the ideas presented, I think it is the best way to learn and understand. It helped me a lot. 

Next Steps in Problem Based Learning & Design thinking. 

After returning from my experience at Innovation X, I wanted to give it a try in my own classroom. I ran across an article that sparked it all for me. It was a third-fifth grade level reading debate about if pets should be allowed on planes. Here's a look at how the unit shaped up:

1. We started with the question, "Should pets be allowed to go anywhere people can go?"

Students shared their thoughts with a partner and then I had all the students who said yes go to one side of the classroom, while those who said no went to the other. I chose a few students from each side to share their thoughts on why they chose the way they did. 

2. From there, I passed out the article and gave each student a partner. Students read the debate and then together traveled around the classroom to answer four questions that were posted on the different walls of the class. Each student  was required to answer the questions.

My posted questions were:

 

1. Why might a pet feel stressed on a plane? 
2. How would you feel if you sat next to a pet on a plane? Why?

3. What is one benefit and one problem with having pets on a plane?

4. What is a rule that would help pets travel safely on planes?

3. Next students used my Dice Convos to dig a little deeper into the article. Basically, students rolled two dice and they moved across the grid to the numbers matching their dice. They read and answer the question before rolling again. We used this to explore opinion writing and its features. Students spent five minutes on this discussion activity. 

4. Afterwards, students received a project paper with the mission listed on it:

Mission:

Airplanes don't always work well for pets OR people. Your job is to invent a solution that helps BOTH pets and passengers feel safe, comfortable, and happy on flights. 

Here's a look at the form I gave my students for planning. Students went right to work with their partners brainstorming ideas, etc. 

Challenges of Problem Based Learning

One of the challenges with problem or project based learning is that your higher level students sometimes feel lost. They often understand how to "play" the game of school. They know how to work the system: study = good grades. But with this type of learning that calls for creativity and innovation, those students can often feel fearful of failure because they have never had the pleasure of failing at anything and the idea terrifies them. So you must train your students on growth mindset and that failure is one part of learning.

Another challenge is time management. Some teams can continue on for what could seem like forever. You have to set a hard and fast time schedule. For this, we had three days of class time with an additional 2 days for tweaking anything else we needed to do. For the additional 2 days, this was not a scheduled time, but students got to use reading/math rotation time on those days if they needed it (but only after they finished their teacher time & independent work for the day). 

Wins for Problem Based Learning

 The biggest wins I usually see with this type of learning is that students who typically struggle in traditional classrooms often rise to the top when it comes to creativity and innovations. Those babies absolutely shine and it is magic to watch. Be sure to praise them for their ingenuity and uphold them as leaders. They rightfully need their moment to shine. 

Another win is that you will move in your role of a teacher to that of a coach. You may even feel, at some point, that you are not busy enough...and that's great! This is where student learning and independence really push students forward in their understanding and ability. You will be surprised at what they come up with. AMAZING THINGS ARE HAPPENING!

5. Project Presentation

We are waiting to share a projects, but this is an important  next step. Next week, students will present and tell about their projects to the class. The will have some time to debrief and talk again with their teammates afterwards. 

Here's a look at our crafted solutions to the problem. I am looking forward to the presentations next week. I cannot wait to hear the explanations on these inventions and how they will solve the problem.

 

I encourage you to give innovations a try.