The D-TIPS project – Design Thinking In Primary Schools – aims to equip primary school teachers with the appropriate tools and methods to impart the design thinking approach to children in Europe. The development of critical cognitive and non-cognitive abilities, such as critical thinking, reflection, self-regulation, and collaboration, are high on the agenda of all schools. It is though developing these skills in children that schools can contribute to mitigating major challenges in society. A key resource in developing those skills are the teachers; upgrading their educational practices and providing lifelong learning opportunities for them is a European priority. Training in design thinking can increase the resilience of both teachers and children when facing complex issues. Design thinking is not only a way of responding to problems, but a practice of reframing the problems (critical thinking) and a practice of co-creation (collective intelligence and cooperation). It is also a method of continuous improvement, a way of imagining the future and an approach to iteration through trial and error (problema solving). Through utilising design thinking we are able to of visualise concepts (visual learning) and bring them to life through building and making with our hands (learning by doing). Finally, and crucially, design thinking embeds empathy (emotional intelligence) within its processes; a means to manifest caring and understanding with the ones who will benefit from the solution. D-TIPS will focus on designing tools and methods developed specifically for primary school teachers, especially those who have no experience with design thinking. It will provide training for teachers in design thinking practices and a means of connecting them in order continuously hone their newly acquired skills. D-TIPS will develop a series of unique tools ranging from ready-to-use ones (easy to put in place - ‘plug and play’) to more advanced tools (both digital and analogue) that teachers can customize, adapt and change according to their needs, However, being equipped with effective tools does not ensure the proper use and know-how of these tools. Therefore, the D-TIPS toolbox has a strong training component in which the basic knowledge of design thinking principles as well as competency-based teaching will be provided to the teachers. In order to ensure the transferability and accessibility of knowledge created within (and beyond the project), our toolbox is supported by an online environment which will help to facilitate the creation of Design Thinking learning activities. We will also build and develop a transnational community of teachers with similar interests that will enable the sharing of best practices, understanding, and professional experience. The D-TIPS project itself follows a Design Thinking methodology. This means that we will co-create the tools with the teachers we work with, try them out together with other stakeholders and children in pilot schools, and iterate until we reach a series of appropriate, robust, and reality proof tools. The direct participation of 7 different European countries (project partnership: Spain, Belgium, Norway, Netherlands and Lithuania, and associated partners: Romania and France) will ensure the integration of differents aspects from different European educational systems. The D-TIPS methodology is based on a active participation of the “end-users” to the development of the materials, a logic of trying-out at a very early stage of design, a principle of iterative and progressive adjustment and finally a spirit of co-creation in which we do not design “for” but design “for and with” teachers and children. For this reason 4 parallel multiplier events will be organized in Spain, Belgium, Lithuania and Romania with the aim of engaging local teachers. And one Final event will be hosted physically in Spain (but online broadcasted) a knowledge exchange event to internationally spread our final results, lessons learned and discuss with educators, teachers, parents and policy makers about the positive impact of integrating Design Thinking in Primary education. We expect to reach at least 10000 educators (including teachers, managers, trainers and policy makers) during the Project duration. The design of the Toolbox as an online environment is aligned to our sustainability plan to ensure the engagement and use of the tools by stakeholders beyond the duration of the Project. To conclude, the D-TIPS project aims at contributing to the progressive transformation and renewal of education: (1) by empowering teachers with new competences and tools based on the application of Design Thinking in Primary Education - through the use of the D-TIPS Toolbox; (2) and by implementing new ways for children to learn and think: being more prepared to face uncertainties and challenges and helping them discover their role in shaping the future.
The project addressed two main strategic objectives in the area of education and training : ‐ Supporting educators - Our project contributes to the lifelong learning opportunities of teachers, connecting them with a network of educators and exposing them to novel methodologies - Strengthening the profiles of the teaching professions - D-TIPS is aiming at equipping primary school teachers with appropriate tools and methods (based on Design Thinking skills and competencies) to impart the design thinking approach to children (6 - 12 y.o.) in Europe. ‐ Open education and innovative practices - Being an innovative school depends, to a large extent, upon individuals with an innovative mindset and processes that allow things to change. Our project contributes to internally boosting innovation in schools, stimulating the flow and exchange of knowledge between schools and companies. Teachers are not trained as designers, therefore D-TIPS MAIN OBJECTIVES have been : • address with Design Thinking the need for a coherent process to address development of a series of competences: critical thinking, communication, creativity and collaboration • both online and offline, off-the-shelf tools (D-TIPS toolbox) for teachers with little to no experience in teaching project based or competences based - from ready-to-use tools to possibilities of advanced customization of tools • support the need for lifelong learning for teachers, moving from discipline based to competences based education. • Is human centred (our focus:teachers, learners) • It is based on collaboration and co-creation - helping in the development of the community of learning and practice (see the resulted online platform ILDE+ D-TIPS) • It aims to create solutions for complex problems such as inequity in education, basic and functional illiteracy, and school abandonment.
The D-TIPS project – Design Thinking In Primary Schools – has aimed at equipping primary school teachers with appropriate tools and methods to impart the design thinking approach to children (6 - 12 y.o.) in Europe. Schools have high on the agenda to develop critical cognitive and non-cognitive abilities to mitigate major challenges in societies through critical thinking, reflection, self-regulation, and collaboration. Teachers are key in this process. Composing an inspiring and relevant toolbox and an online platform for teachers was a difficult job. While we have a good understanding of the European educational goals and how design thinking fits into these frameworks, we were not sure about their specific needs. To find out more about their needs, we have been in direct contact with primary school teachers in Spain, Romania, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Belgium. Through a better understanding of what challenges teachers face, D-TIPS has been able to uncover their needs and what factors can motivate teachers to test out new tools and methods. A collection of hands on tools, training resources an an online platform to guide teachers in the creation of DT projects have been developed as the main results of the project.