Tuesday, May 5, 2015

'I can': A movement underpinned by design thinking

This inspirational video illustrates very clearly what an incredible responsibility we have as educators. A reaction can undermine a learner's confidence, and leave them with an "I can't response" if we're not really careful. However, sometimes from set backs, great things can grow, and Kiran Bir Sethi, from Ahmedabad, India, after her son experienced a blow to his learning, has started a "movement of empowerment and education that has reached over 30 countries – impacting more than 25 million children. She shares with the audience what happens when learning environments are infected by the 'I CAN' bug and how design thinking has been used to create empowered individuals who can be agents of change" (source).

The description that accompanies the video reads "Kiran Bir Sethi is a designer and director of The Riverside School, but also the founder of the 'Design for Change' - the world’s largest movement of change – of and by children. Based on four simple steps - Feel, Imagine, Do and Share - children around the world have developed ideas and projects to drive social change in their society. She shows vivid and inspiring cases of social transformation that promotes optimism in education. Her talk asserts that new and better things are possible and that each of us can make change happen. After this talk, you will realize that change is the result of a process that can be consciously nurtured and energized " (source).

Would be great to hear what you think about the 'I can' approach underpinned by design thinking - and similar things that you are undertaking with your learners (of all ages). Please leave responses in the comments below.

2 comments:

Sridhar Chandrasekaran said...

You have such an interesting blog. Thanks for sharing. Reading blogs is my hobby and I randomly found your blog. I enjoyed reading your posts. All the best for your future blogging journey. Please keep in touch with me in Twitter, @ipersuade.

Hazel Owen said...

Thanks for the feedback and the comment, Sridhar :) I had a look at your Twitter feed and enjoyed several of the blog writers you have featured. Thank you for sharing.