Activity Steps - 3.2 | Unit 1: Introduction to Design Thinking | IB Grade 8 Product Design
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Activity Steps

3.2 - Activity Steps

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Interactive Audio Lesson

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Framing the Persona

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Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Let's start the workshop by framing our persona. Can anyone remind us what we do in this stage?

Student 1
Student 1

We read the persona profile and brainstorm questions to understand their context.

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Exactly! This helps us dive deeper into their experiences. Why is this part important?

Student 2
Student 2

It sets the stage for our insights. If we know their context well, we can gather better insights.

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Great! Now, think about how we can generate context questions for our persona. Remember to keep them open-ended!

Student 3
Student 3

What are the main challenges that the persona faces in their daily tasks could be one.

Student 4
Student 4

Maybe we can ask what they enjoy or dislike about those tasks?

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Fantastic suggestions! Let’s note them down. Remember, gathering the right context will steer our entire workshop.

Silent Note Capture

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Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Now that we’ve framed our persona, we’ll move to the Silent Note Capture phase. What quadrants will we fill out?

Student 1
Student 1

We write down what the persona β€˜Says’, β€˜Thinks’, β€˜Does’, and β€˜Feels’.

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Right! As you do this, think about how these insights might impact their needs. Are we ready to start?

Student 2
Student 2

I feel like this part will really help us empathize with the persona.

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Exactly! Remember to spend a little time reflecting on each quadrant. I’ll give you ten minutes.

Cluster and Label Insights

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Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Now let’s cluster the notes. Who can remind me why clustering is beneficial?

Student 3
Student 3

It highlights common themes and patterns in our observations.

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Correct! Let’s begin clustering. What themes do you notice here?

Student 4
Student 4

I see several notes about fear of damaging items, we can cluster those together.

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Great observation! And what label can we give this cluster?

Student 1
Student 1

Maybe we can label it β€˜Safety Concerns’?

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Perfect! That gives us insight into a critical need for our persona.

Crafting Insight Statements

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Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Let’s conclude by crafting an insight statement. What do we want it to express?

Student 2
Student 2

It should capture a main need or challenge the persona faces.

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Exactly! Based on our clusters, can someone suggest an insight statement for our persona?

Student 3
Student 3

How about β€˜Noah needs a way to securely transport his sketches while avoiding bulky packaging’?

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

That’s a brilliant insight statement! Always remember, this statement acts as a guide for your design process.

Student 4
Student 4

It feels empowering to actually find these insights!

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

It indeed is! Understanding our users deeply is essential for successful design.

Introduction & Overview

Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.

Quick Overview

This section describes the structured activity steps for conducting an empathy-mapping workshop in the design thinking process.

Standard

The Activity Steps section outlines a systematic approach for students to conduct a Rapid Empathy-Mapping Workshop, emphasizing the importance of understanding user needs through various phases including framing, silent note capture, clustering insights, and formulating insight statements.

Detailed

Activity Steps Overview

This section provides a comprehensive guide on conducting an empathy-mapping workshop, integral to the design thinking process. The activity steps are organized into several stages:

1. Framing (5 min)

The facilitator reads out the assigned persona, setting the stage for brainstorming relevant context questions that will direct the empathy-mapping process.

2. Silent Note Capture (10 min)

During this phase, students independently jot down insights under four quadrants: β€˜Says’, β€˜Thinks’, β€˜Does’, and β€˜Feels’. This silence allows for introspective thinking and personal interpretation of the persona’s experiences.

3. Cluster & Label (10 min)

Once insights are collected, groups organize them into thematic clusters and assign labels to these clusters. This helps to identify patterns and common themes within user experiences.

4. Insight Statement (5 min)

In this phase, groups craft a concise insight statement that encapsulates a key need or challenge faced by the persona. This statement will aid in guiding future design efforts.

In summary, this structured workshop serves as a crucial exercise in empathizing with users, thereby laying the groundwork for subsequent stages in the design thinking process.

Audio Book

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Step 1: Framing

Chapter 1 of 4

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Chapter Content

  1. Framing (5 min): Facilitator reads the persona aloud; the class brainstorms context questions.

Detailed Explanation

In the first step, the facilitator introduces the persona, which is a fictional character representing a real user. This brief introduction takes around 5 minutes. The purpose is to get everyone on the same page. As a class, students brainstorm questions that help them understand the persona's context better. This helps to clarify what information they need to gather to empathize with the user.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you are preparing for a birthday party for a friend. Before inviting others, you discuss with your group what your friend likes, which could help you select the right themes and activities. This brainstorming session is similar to discussing context questions about the persona.

Step 2: Silent Note Capture

Chapter 2 of 4

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Chapter Content

  1. Silent Note Capture (10 min): Individually, students jot one insight per sticky note under each quadrant:
    β—‹ Says: Direct quotes or imagined dialogue.
    β—‹ Thinks: Unspoken beliefs or worries.
    β—‹ Does: Observable actions or routines.
    β—‹ Feels: Emotions identified through posture or tone.

Detailed Explanation

During this step, students spend 10 minutes individually writing insights related to the persona. Each student uses sticky notes to categorize their insights into four areas: what the persona says, thinks, does, and feels. This allows for a comprehensive view of the user’s experience, helping to capture both their words and emotions.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a detective gathering clues about a suspect before making an arrest. They observe what the suspect does, what they say to others, and must consider what the suspect might be thinking or feeling. Each sticky note represents a clue that will form a clearer picture of the user's needs.

Step 3: Cluster & Label

Chapter 3 of 4

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Chapter Content

  1. Cluster & Label (10 min): Groups cluster notes into themes (e.g., β€œfragile items fear,” β€œtime pressure”) and label each cluster.

Detailed Explanation

In this step, students come together in groups and organize their sticky notes into related themes. This clustering process helps them identify patterns in the insights gathered. Once the notes are grouped, students create labels for each cluster to summarize the themes. This makes it easier to visualize and discuss findings during later stages.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine sorting through a box of mixed Lego pieces to find blue blocks. You organize the blocks into categories, like size or shape, so you can easily find what you need later. Clustering notes similarly allows students to identify important themes quickly.

Step 4: Insight Statement

Chapter 4 of 4

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Chapter Content

  1. Insight Statement (5 min): Presenter writes a concise insight: β€œNoah needs a secure way to carry delicate artwork without bulky packaging, because he sketches in transit.”

Detailed Explanation

Finally, each group formulates a concise insight statement based on the clustered themes. This statement encapsulates what they’ve learned about the persona’s needs. It should be clear and actionable, guiding the next steps in the design process. This takes about 5 minutes.

Examples & Analogies

Think of writing a summary for a book you just read. You want to convey the main message in one or two sentences. Similarly, the insight statement summarizes the most important need of the persona in a clear way to inform the design process.

Key Concepts

  • Framing: Establishing the user's context.

  • Silent Note Capture: Jotting insights on user experiences.

  • Cluster & Label: Grouping shared insights for clarity.

  • Insight Statement: A concise description of a user need.

Examples & Applications

An example of a framed persona might be: 'Noah, a budding artist, struggles to safely carry his sketches.'

In Silent Note Capture, students might identify that Noah 'feels anxious' about damaging his sketches.

Memory Aids

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Rhymes

Framing, Staming, Insight Claiming! Capture, Cluster, Label like it's exciting!

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Stories

Imagine a student named Noah who loves art. He carries a sketchbook but always worries about it getting damaged. As we frame his story, we begin to uncover that he needs a solution that keeps his art safe while he moves aroundβ€”just like a well-crafted armor.

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Memory Tools

F-S-C-I: Framing, Silent capture, Cluster insights, and create Insight statements.

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Acronyms

FSCI

Framing

Silent Noting

Clustering

Insight-Formulation.

Flash Cards

Glossary

Framing

The process of establishing the context and understanding of the user's persona to drive insights.

Silent Note Capture

A focused activity where individuals jot down observations and insights related to a user persona.

Cluster & Label

The method of grouping related insights together and giving them thematic labels for better understanding.

Insight Statement

A concise summary that captures a key need or challenge faced by the persona.

Reference links

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