This is an idea that has been burning inside my head since yesterday. It was inspired by the presentation on Design-Based Research by Dr. Brenda Bannan of George Mason University. The basic concept of such research, as I understand it, is applying design to other widely accepted research methods. My thought was, why not apply the same concept to teaching and learning?
As it often does, my mind flew to the realm of Elementary Education. What if it was possible to create a charter school that taught students to design in addition to or as a way to teach content? The possibilities are endless! Students then leave the school not only with content knowledge, but with design as a strategy for problem-solving. It's a skill they'll be able to use for the rest of their lives!
I believe this idea could also have implications for higher education. What if in teacher education, for example, we taught students how to design? It's a skill that will serve them well not only in the classroom, but will increase their abilities in every facet of their lives.
I recognize I'm presenting this as a win-win situation for everyone, mostly because I think it would prove to be eventually. However, it would consist in a paradigm shift for everyone involved. A method for teaching in this way would have to be developed. Teachers would have to be trained to teach design specifically and incorporate it as a way of teaching other content areas. Parents would have to be educated to see the value of the method in the lives of their children. And, the positive impact on students would have to be measured.
The bottom line? I feel like creating posters advocating design education for everyone! I'm so new in the field I don't even know if such an idea is plausible, but it is definitely exciting.
As it often does, my mind flew to the realm of Elementary Education. What if it was possible to create a charter school that taught students to design in addition to or as a way to teach content? The possibilities are endless! Students then leave the school not only with content knowledge, but with design as a strategy for problem-solving. It's a skill they'll be able to use for the rest of their lives!
I believe this idea could also have implications for higher education. What if in teacher education, for example, we taught students how to design? It's a skill that will serve them well not only in the classroom, but will increase their abilities in every facet of their lives.
I recognize I'm presenting this as a win-win situation for everyone, mostly because I think it would prove to be eventually. However, it would consist in a paradigm shift for everyone involved. A method for teaching in this way would have to be developed. Teachers would have to be trained to teach design specifically and incorporate it as a way of teaching other content areas. Parents would have to be educated to see the value of the method in the lives of their children. And, the positive impact on students would have to be measured.
The bottom line? I feel like creating posters advocating design education for everyone! I'm so new in the field I don't even know if such an idea is plausible, but it is definitely exciting.
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