Sandy Speicher from IDEO works with teachers on design as a process for learning. She states: “Design thinking is the way we approach the world when we imagine and create new solutions for the future.”
“Build to think” and “Fail early to succeed sooner”- teachers make prototype models out of found materials to solve design problems related to the morning commute.
Teachers tour the exhibit Design for the Other 90%
Designer Tom Oliphant explains the critique process to teachers by defining it as, “a conversation about the efforts of work.” He brought some of his students along to discuss how it felt to have their work critiqued.
Design permeates our life…being in this institute helps me realize how deeplly connected I can be to appreciate how every single thing in the build world surrounds me, touches me, and effects me….today I realize, this is one of the best weeks of my life….tuning into this design awareness…
Comment by Juliana James — July 30, 2008 @ 10:30 am
It has been a pleasure and privilege to be a part of this generously informative panel of guests and group members. Every day is a new experience for learning and contemplation. I hope to be a part of this endeavor for some time to come. susanne
Comment by susanne donahoe — July 30, 2008 @ 10:34 am
Well, I am still a day ahead in my response as this is now the end of Day 3 but, oh well!
The suburban landscape show today was a phenomenal experience and tied into the whole design workshop experience very well. The design element that ran through all of the works in the show while often taking quite distinct viewpoints in terms of what was being presented, was in quite stark constrast to the Design for the Other 90% exhibit in the Sculpture Garden. I found that contrast to be very intriguing and enjoyed the tension between the subject matter being displayed in each. The themes in both were so distinctly apart from each other that the gulf between them was almost palatable. How we define (and design) human experience is depicted in quite graphic, frightening and dangerous extremes. Hopefully bringing that disparate definition of how we live to people in examples such as this, will spur a greater degree of effort in trying to lessen the gaps that humankind has managed to create. The degree of that chasm is utterly and totally deplorable.
On a more positive note, the energy in the Art Lab during the discussion and planning of how the varuious groups were going to tackle some of the education issues that we were given to consider in the afternoon, was equally palatable. It was marvelous to be able to talk with other educators who were all equally motivated about wanting to bring about positive systemic changes to education in order to help improve the success of all students. I am very excited about being able to continue this discussion tomorrow!
Kevan
Comment by Kevan Nitzberg — July 30, 2008 @ 9:33 pm
It’s been a very busy summer and I am certain that my fellow colleagues miss the intense involvement we had in this most productive program. Getting back to the classroom will be interesting and the application of the materials and information provided will be exciting.
Back to you soon. Susanne
Comment by susanne donahoe — August 20, 2008 @ 6:11 pm