Introduction - what is design thinking? .. and other key questions

What exactly is designed thinking?

• a systematic approach to solving complex problems / to critical thinking
• promotes innovation through iteration (feedback loops)
• promotes learning through doing 

What does it look like? how is it different from other forms of design? what is the default thinking that we often use?

• loop
• discover
• focus
• imagine
• prototype
• try
• reflect / share
• return to "discover"

• From Stanford - Intro to Design Thinking Process - guide

DISCOVER

• examine the context / motivations / challenges / people (their values) 
• understand the "end user" - needs, fears, desires
• knowledge / constraints / requirements

FOCUS

• on the findings above ..
• to identify their real needs and desires

IMAGINE

• brainstorming that is aligned with the above findings / needs / values

PROTOTYPE

•  taking all of the interesting ideas that we've come up with .. and bravely putting one idea that seems to stand out and put it to the test

TRY

• don't hold back.. make the idea happen

REFLECT / SHARE

• - reflect in action (putting it to work NOW) Schon
• - reflect on action (looking back on what was done) Schon

move between FLARE and FOCUS
http://static1.squarespace.com/static/54b5c1d4e4b060f2e9699962/5524682ee4b0126cded292fe/55246901e4b0126cded2a458/1428449759992/?format=1000w
http://whiteboard.stanford.edu/blog/2013/10/24/the-focus-inside-the-flare

creativity / innovation through this approach (visual)
http://www.creativityatwork.com/design-thinking-strategy-for-innovation/


why is it significant?
- includes stakeholders (those impacted by the outcomes of the design)
- I design WITH you and not FOR you .. to get a more meaningful product / result (iteration through process)

why teach this to students?
- communicates to students the importance of being creative, being a problem solver.. their future will depend on it

• preparing students to be successful in the future 
• increases student ownership of learning 
• makes learning more meaningful / motivating 
• makes learning social (sharing with others)

how does one learn it?

• by doing it / experiencing it