The Design Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Each step of the design process demands a different kind of thinking. Successful designers are able to recognize where in the design process they are and effectively shift their mindsets. This is not only valuable for the task at hand but also necessary to communicate with others\/when working in groups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In its simplest form, the design process includes the phases of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Understand<\/strong>: Clarify the problem. Ask questions, observe, and find out what\u2019s needed and why. Identify what\u2019s known, what\u2019s unknown, and what conditions must be met. Visualize or sketch the problem to make sense of it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Plan<\/strong>: Connect what you know to what you need to find. Generate ideas and look for patterns or similar examples. Choose an approach that connects what you know to what you need. Outline clear steps and gather what you\u2019ll need to try it out.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Try<\/strong>: Put your plan into action. Build, test, or model your idea. Check your progress along the way and adjust when things don\u2019t work as expected. If something fails, revise your plan or simplify the problem and try again.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Reflect:<\/strong> Look back on what happened. Check your result and reasoning. What worked well? What could be improved? Could it be simpler, clearer, or more general? Use what you learned to refine your idea or approach the next challenge more effectively.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Divergent vs. Convergent Thinking <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In design, two fundamental modes of thinking are often used: divergent thinking, which involves expanding ideas broadly and exploring many possibilities, and convergent thinking, which focuses on analyzing, refining, and combining ideas into clear solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n
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Sylvia Duckworth. (2019). <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n Iterate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Unknown Author. (Unknown Date).<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n \nDesign is not linear.<\/strong><\/span> Each time you engage, test, or explore, you\u2019ll learn something new – often something that challenges or contradicts what you thought before. It is important to revisit earlier design decisions and steps with this new understanding, allowing your design to evolve as your understanding does.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s important to iterate often. Each change may take time or resources, but every adjustment brings you closer to a stronger, more considered design. The sooner a design change is made, the smaller its cost. So, iterate frequently, whenever new insights emerge.<\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nBackward Design<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Backward Design is a process that begins by identifying the desired end result and then determining what is needed to achieve it. In education, however, an additional step is essential: verifying whether students have actually met the learning goals. So, when we design educational experiences using Backward Design, we:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Define the Learning Objectives<\/strong> – clearly identify what we want learners to know, understand, or be able to do.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Design Assessment Strategies<\/strong> – determine how we will know if learners have achieved the learning objectives. (Note: In the Design Challenges of this class, we often skip this step)<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Design Learning Activities and Instructional Resources<\/strong> – develop methods, materials, and experiences that support learners in reaching the learning objectives. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
This approach helps ensure that after the educational experience, learners leave with the core understanding or skill you intended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n - Design Assessment Strategies<\/strong> – determine how we will know if learners have achieved the learning objectives. (Note: In the Design Challenges of this class, we often skip this step)<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Plan<\/strong>: Connect what you know to what you need to find. Generate ideas and look for patterns or similar examples. Choose an approach that connects what you know to what you need. Outline clear steps and gather what you\u2019ll need to try it out.<\/li>\n\n\n\n