LIBE 477: Reading Review Blog Post #1
I am interested in exploring design thinking in my teaching future. I have touched on design thinking before, largely in relation to art or maker challenges with things like cardboard, but I would like to learn how to take it deeper with a more purposeful approach. I love doing hands-on work and projects like invention, building, woodworking, sewing, etc. with students and I would like to be able to bring that into the realm of technology as well. I do find lack of funding, technological devices, and expertise a barrier. Two years ago I had $500 for some programmable tech and I spent forever going through all the things available for elementary aged students. There are so many products out there. It was hard to tell what would have longevity - that students to use over and over again in different ways to develop and learn new skills each time. We settles on Lego Mindstorms and they were used the first year but have not been touched since. The students who knew them moved on to high school and none of the teachers know how they work. I would like to work on how to link my hands on, tech free maker programs with the digital realm and programming. This program would fit in with BC's ASDT and Science Curriculums.
Key Words: Design Thinking, Creation, Hands-on, Programming, Invention, ASDT
Areas of Development:
Design as problem solving
Programming basics
Lego Mindstorms basics
Inventive thinking, designing, Digital Mapping/ generating
Content Creation
I would like to look into literature about design thinking and inventive thinking within the digital realm and the impacts that has on student learning. In my physical spaces I have limited to no access to laptops or computers so all learning around digital technology must be inventive. Any resources I have access to, like the 2 LEGO Mindstorms kits or my 8 Ozobot mini robots were purchased through raised funds or are my own. I would like to explore ways to build design thinking and digital skills unplugged so that the students have a base level of skill and knowledge before moving into online or plugged in activities.
A good brainstorm post about some interests, ideas and future opportunities you'd like to setup. A good overview of some of your past experiences, both successes and challenges, and how this is informing and guiding your decision making going forward. As well, a good list of keywords/search terms that will assist you in your inquiry. Perhaps sticking to more generic terms might open up more opportunties, rather than brand/company specific terms that would only bring up one platform (Lego as an example). Lots to go off here, and many new pathways should present itself through your research.
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