This past spring quarter, I had the incredible opportunity to teach a semester course on Design Thinking at Cal Poly, California, a university renowned for its „learn by doing“ ethos. Situated in the picturesque city of San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly is home to a vibrant community of innovators, thinkers, and doers. The institution’s commitment to hands-on, practical learning makes it an ideal environment for exploring dynamic methodologies like Design Thinking. During the semester, I worked with students from the Graphic Communication faculty, guiding them through the intricacies of Design Thinking. Over the course of 20 interactive workshop sessions, students immersed themselves in the process, tackling their own chosen challenges in small, collaborative teams. The practical nature of our work embodied the core principle of Cal Poly’s teaching philosophy: integrating knowledge with real-world application.
A „Learn by Doing“ Approach
Cal Poly’s signature „learn by doing“ approach emphasizes experiential learning. This philosophy is woven into the fabric of every course and project, encouraging students to engage with material in a way that is both interactive and reflective. The method allows students to apply theoretical knowledge immediately, providing invaluable insight into practical problem-solving and innovation.
Workshop Highlights: Diving into Design Thinking
Our journey began with an Introduction to Design Thinking, where students were familiarized with the cyclical nature of empathizing, defining, ideating, prototyping, and testing. In an engaging session titled Design Thinking in One Hour, students experienced a condensed version of the process, setting the stage for deeper exploration over the semester. Students then embarked on their own team-specifc challenges, learning to create detailed personas and empathy maps, crucial tools that ensure a user-centered approach. Developing an As-Is Scenario allowed them to understand the current state of their chosen challenge fully, followed by conducting interviews that deepened their insights. The Point of View (PoV) development was a pivotal moment, guiding students to articulate user needs clearly and define problem statements. Ideation sessions, including the Idea Tower and a creative leap into the year 2050, sparked innovative thinking and encouraged students to broaden their perspectives. Evaluation and prototyping followed, with students rapidly building and iterating prototypes. Testing these with other teams provided fresh insights and spurred further refinement. One of the semester’s highlights was setting up the project for implementation using agile project management techniques, where students learned and applied SCRUM and Kanban methodologies. In our final class, we turned the power of Design Thinking inward, challenging students to map out their personal career paths, a fitting conclusion to a transformative experience.
Fostering International Collaboration
This enriching teaching experience was made possible through a faculty exchange program supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Regular exchanges like these are instrumental in fostering international collaboration and cross-cultural understanding, offering both students and educators fresh perspectives and new challenges. Reflecting on my time at Cal Poly, I am inspired by the students‘ ingenuity and enthusiasm. The passion for practical learning and innovation evident in every workshop underscored the potential of Design Thinking to drive impactful solutions. I look forward to future exchanges and the continued sharing of ideas and expertise across borders.
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