Task 2 - Post 1: Google Jamboard for Design Thinking

---

Figure 1: The FabLab@School.dk process model for design thinking in digital fabrication.

There is a wide spectrum of complex challenges that are present in classrooms, with relation to teacher feedback systems and daily schedules. To assist with these challenges, new perspectives, tools and approaches are in dire need and 'Design thinking' is one of them.

For those of you who are not familiar with Design thinking, it is essentially the concept of "an analytic and creative process that engages a person in opportunities to experiment, create and prototype models, gather feedback, and redesign" (Razzouk & Shute, 2012).

As we live in a highly technological world, new and different skill sets are required to better suit the ever-changing environment of today. Some of these skills, which involve creating, ideating and reflecting, have a strong resemblance to Design thinking (see Figure 1). Through using and developing these skills, students are able to engage with indistinct problems and explore trial and error to further make their own decisions to create a solution.

Welcome to Google Jamboard!

Video retrieved from www.youtube.com

Google Jamboard is a digital interactive whiteboard and is used globally by anyone from students to adults, for numerous purposes. Using Jamboard in classrooms can intensify student participation, communication, and collaboration as it enables them to portray their learning and thinking. Through using this interactive Google app, students can note down their creative strategies individually, or even collaboratively with the class.

Some Google Jamboard Features (Miles, 2021):

• Share for Group Collaboration

• Laser pointer tool

• Create Visual Learning Aids with images from Google

• Open and Share Google Drive Files

• Highlighter tool

Now the question is, how does Google Jamboard initiate Design thinking?

The following is an example of how Google Jamboard can be integrated in a classroom activity to encompass the skills of Design thinking (see Figure 1).

For the purpose of my explanation, a Stage 3 Science lesson will be used as an example. The teacher can utilise Jamboard to propose a 'problem' to solve (Design brief) - How can we keep our food cool on a hot day? The Field Study of this would include students researching the scientific elements and materials needed to create an 'Esky', such as aluminium foil, foam boards, cardboard, etc. Students will then ideate to devise a solution, using the Jamboard features to brainstorm. The next step goes beyond the use of Jamboard as students fabricate their designs, share with their teachers and peers, and gain feedback, prompting reflection.

Watch the video below to see how Google Jamboard is integrated with the example lesson!

Original video: Using Google Jamboard features (CC by Angelina Cho)

As you can see, Jamboard can be used effectively to elicit Design thinking and lay foundations of cognitive activities for students to inquire their creativity as"creativity in design are shared by leading theories of design thinking"(Smith et al., 2015).

---

References

Design thinking for educators. (n.d.). Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.ideo.com/post/design-thinking-for-educators

Miles, B. (2021, October 8). The 7 best google jamboard features you can use for remote l earning. MUO. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.makeuseof.com/google- jamboard-features-remote-learning/

Oxman, R. (2017). Thinking difference: Theories and models of parametric design thinking.

Design Studies, 52, 4–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.destud.2017.06.001

Razzouk, R., & Shute, V. (2012). What is design thinking and why is it important? Review of Educational Research, 82(3), 330–348. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654312457429

Smith, R. C., Iversen, O. S., & Hjorth, M. (2015). Design thinking for digital fabrication in Education. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, 5, 20–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcci.2015.10.002