Design Thinking Resources for Educators

Below you will find a number of various resources with descriptions to help you begin your journey in integrating Design Thinking into your curriculum!

Introduction to Design Thinking

Here are some common questions from teachers looking to integrate design thinking into their classroom or practice.

How do I get started with Design Thinking?

Go through the links below and peruse through them. The IDEO Design Thinking Toolkit for Educators is a great starting point and resource for getting started.

What should my first steps be?

The first steps should be introducing yourself with the overall theme of design thinking and trying to understand what it is. Do not overwhelm yourself by trying to think of lesson ideas or how you will be using it in your classroom.

Why should I consider Design Thinking?

Design Thinking is an approach to learning and a mindset that can truly improve the learning outcomes for your students. It will give them opportunities to apply creativity, develop a robust communication skillset, and engage them in authentic real world experiences.

Can I contact you if I have questions?

Yes you can! If you have questions about how you can get started , feel free to contact me through my website or through my email.

IDEO Design Thinking Toolkit for Educators

This comprehensive toolkit is a great resource for beginners to learn about what design thinking is and how others have integrated it into their practice.

Design Thinking Toolkit for Educators

This toolkit includes a description of the design thinking process, gives teacher feedback about their processes, and activities to get started.  The activities here can help you to begin the design thinking practice in your schools and classrooms.

Stanford D School

Come read about how Stanford is integrating design thinking into their programs and the types of projects that have been created.

Stanford D School

Stanford has been the leader in design thinking and where they have a school dedicated to design thinking.  

Helpful Infographic from Harvard GSE

This infographic is a useful item to print and hang in the classroom.  Created by the Teaching and Learning Lab, this document talks about what design thinking it, what it looks like, and how one can get started.  

Infographic from Harvard GSE

This infographic is a great item to hang in your classroom to help describe to students, parents, or other teachers about the methodology and benefits of incorporating it into your practice.

Article on Edutopia

Come and read about how design thinking has been used in JK-12 schools and some of the benefits associated with these approaches.  Come read about how designing your activities around design thinking can reframe the learning outcomes for your students!

Empathy, Challenge, Discovery, & Sharing

This Edutopia article talks about how design thinking can encourage the development of empathy, dealing with challenges, engage students in discovery, and get them to share their experiences.  

Design Thinking in Pedagogy White Paper

This white paper talks about design thinking in pedagogy and talks about why you would want to integrate Design Thinking into your curriculum. 

Design Thinking White Paper

The paper will talk about the reasons why teachers would be interested in design thinking.  Some of the benefits include development of 21st Century Skills and mindsets including applying creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills in authentic environments.

Co-designing Schools Website

This website has a number of tools that will help teachers and community members to begin to re-think what the future of their schools and their educations will look like.

Co-designing Schools Toolkit

This website and toolkit is a way for educators and community members to engage in a group lead approach to rethink education and what 'future ready' means for their youth.