【Walk with us, leave a trail】Design Thinking

Everyone has a story to tell and we'd love for you to tell us yours: maybe a struggle, a success, some challenges or achievements, a disappointment or a dream. Or, tell us about your first day at HD - or anything else.

Design Thinking

 Inspiring Creativity

Conor

Design Thinking Teacher

HD School

When I tell people I'm a Design Thinking teacher I'm usually greeted with a confused look, followed by a reply something along the lines of: "What is Design Thinking? Is it like Design Technology? Like Woodwork or Food Tech?" and whilst I may use mediums such as textiles or woodwork in a Design Thinking project, I want to set the record straight! Design Thinking is essentially a combination of empathy, research, ideation, prototyping, testing and teamwork that allows students to concoct original and unique solutions to a variety of problems. 

Although I have a background in both Design and Teaching, when I first came to HD school, I must admit that I, too, had never heard of Design Thinking (in all honesty I thought I was being accepted for a Design Technology position). After finding out there was no real curriculum, or the safety net of a structure that could be followed in lessons, my mind began to race, and my palms became sweaty due to the thought of the daunting amount of planning that lay ahead. However, looking back now it seems trivial. I think most schools in the same position would have said "you're the new Design Thinking teacher, you start on the 17th, see you then" but not HD.

HD was extremely supportive as they sent myself and several other colleagues for Design Thinking training in San Francisco. I think here lies the magic of the HD school and family: the school is willing to invest in its teachers. They spend the time and resources to make sure their educators have everything they need in order to achieve their full potential. If a teacher wants to better themselves, all they need to do is ask. No expense is too high or goal unreachable - the school and its staff will make sure you are thoroughly looked after and supported. Shanghai HD Bilingual School is new and is guilty of a few teething problems, such as not having a Design Thinking program in place, but I no longer see this as an issue; I now see it as a challenge, a trial of my own ability if you will. They gave me the flexibility I needed as well as the tools and resources to get my program in place.

The Design Lab has been carefully crafted to feature a few new and exciting innovations, which help inspire and cultivate our student's creativity. We have recently received a laser cutting machine as well as several 3D printers, which are available for students and staff to use. We are currently using the 3D printers in a secondary project, in which the secondary students have been asked to Design Think our very own school facilities. I gave the students a brief: To make the outdoor library area into a more comfortable space and to promote reading...with a set budget. 

It is thanks to HD Shanghai's open mindedness, support and resources that students have the opportunity to participate in such stimulating and innovative projects that other schools simply just don't offer.           

——Conor

Welcome to join us!

We hope you can leave a trail

 in Elite K12 filled with personal and professional growth.