Prototyping
MEthods:
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Reflection through De Bono’s 6 hats
White Hat - just the relevant information Methods: Interview, Conversation Starters, Extremes and Mainstreams, Live Prototyping, Keep Iterating, Get Feedback, Iteration, Make it, Learn From Failure Yellow Hat - optimism, explore the benefits and probe for value. There were many benefits to the field work and follow up we did today. First of all, this was the first time we worked as a whole group in one field setting during this project, and it was great to weave the thoughts, ideas and observations we have gathered over the past 4 days together. In one of our debriefing sessions with mixed-group peers, we discussed our decision to split up. Our group was able to go to more locations and meet more experts than we would have if we were together for all of our field work. Due to time constraints, we did not have time to sit and share the information and process it all as deeply as we could have, but we did share our field notes with the group in Google Doc. We were effective at noting a question that wasn’t getting us our targeted information, and iterate new questions. At this point in the process, the group seemed to really be thinking as one unit, noting the same challenges and finding easily-agreed upon solutions. I appreciated the smoothness with which we related today. Many of our conversations were centered around observations and solutions that were immediate and easy to define. We were quick to propose and accept solutions, and make adjustments. I do believe a significant factor in our success was the goofiness of the minion helmut. The helmut broke down barriers, attracted attention and let the teens (and parents or grandparents) know that we didn't take ourselves too seriously. It was an excellent Conversation Starter. Another important factor in our success was the location - we were 4 teachers who enjoy kids, doing something outside, putting into action a plan that we had been working on for 3 straight days. We were invested in an outcome to examine, and we were having fun doing it. We are each inspired by kids. I appreciate that we were able to go out and prototype our design problem. The ability to test out our prototype as an excellent next step. All of our questions did not have to be answered before we went out - many questions were answered, and others replaced those that were or no longer seemed to contribute to our understanding. Yes teenagers will answer questions inside a goofy helmut, and yes they will give answers that are topic and generally thoughtful. The next step would be to take this out to the community on a larger scale. I still wouldn't feel the need to have all our questions answered, because I understand that many of them will be, and more will develop. This is the type of learning we want to engage our students in, which makes this a valuable exercise for me. It will be important that I frame this understanding for my preservice teachers - challenge yourselves and your students to keep asking questions, even when they seem to have been answered. The value in the prototyping activity was twofold for me. First, the successful outcome of the prototype and our ability to iterate though a challenge like this was rewarding. I like working with people who can and want to teach me. I gained insight into my group members and more about the process of Human Design. The information is important, as are the relationships with the cohort as we work through this program together. The team building has taken my thinking deeper than if I had been on my own, and I hope we can maintain the connection during our online portions of the course. Black Hat - judgement, the devil’s advocate, difficulties, where things could go wrong
This experience has been and introspective one for me, as I change my personal understanding of how I work with others. While I have not enjoyed having my grades dependent on another person's contribution, of which I have no control over, or if I am required to complete an outcome with someone who has vastly different goals for the end product, I have the aspects of group work that challenge me and contribute to an overall development of understanding and professional growth. When I collaborate, it is with the purpose of moving toward knowledge or understanding, and learning from those around me and sharing my knowledge. Group work requires the participants to work alongside each other to a common outcome. Group work can include collaboration when there is a structure to foster sharing of ideas. And collaboration can be due to a group project that requires group work, but requires the participants to give and take, share and learn, negotiate, compromise and value other opinions and contributions. This doesn’t often happen in group work in schools because students require explicit instruction and practice as well as an intrinsic reason to do so. Teachers also need to be cognizant of why they are grouping kids, assessing learning the way they are, and how they are encouraging collaboration. I know I won't change that aspect of education overnight, if at all, but I have vested interest in at least presenting an alternative to teachers. I have a daughter who struggles in group work, and has encountered few teachers who have designed collaboration in a way that works for her. When she has had that rare visionary teacher, her development and her self confidence has been amazing. When it doesn't work well, the outcomes are soul-crushing. I believe in helping students deal with challenges, and working on competencies, especially when it includes working with others. I do think too many teachers have a narrow understanding of collaboration. So these methods excite me, personally as well as professionally. Red Hat - feelings What made me happy:
Green Hat - creativity, possibilities, opportunities, alternatives and new ideas
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“A discovery is said to be an accident meeting a prepared mind.” (A. von Szent-Gyorgyi).
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Luong, T. (n.d.) Dirt Road and Curves in the fall. Maine USA. useme44677-bw. [electronic image]. Retrieved July 28, 2015. http://www.terragalleria.com/america/maine/north-maine-woods/picture.usme44677.html