design thinking professional development ➔

Introduction to Design Thinking in Schools

We believe that teaching students design thinking not only teaches them important skills and mindsets, but also helps students develop the mindset that the world can be a better place and that they can be the ones to make it happen.  At Design Tech High School, we have been teaching students and staff design thinking since 2013 and we are pleased to offer professional development to schools who want to take their students and staff on a similar creative journey.  While our flagship workshops are based on supporting schools who want to offer the innovation diploma program to their students, these professional development workshops are also appropriate for schools who may be interested in teaching their students design thinking without offering the innovation diploma.

workshop overview ➔

Goals:

What will teachers know and be able to do by the end of the workshop?  

  • Know what design thinking is conceptually

  • Know the design thinking process

  • Use 2-3 key strategies for each phase of the design process

  • Scope and guide students through a design challenge

  • Apply design thinking to problems of practice in their school or classroom

How will we know if we have met these goals? 

  • 90% of workshop participants can explain design thinking both conceptually and practically

  • 90% of workshop participants feel confident launching their course, knowing they will have regular coaching following the workshop

  • 90% of student workshop participants report that they feel the instruction was clear

  • The design process facilitation with students leads to an actual designAll courses are offered virtually via interactive online sessions where students meet with their cohort and teacher weekly. Sessions are synchronous (in most cases) so students can collaborate, learn, and make connections with like-minded students from around the world.