Designing Shifts to Position Teacher as Designer of Learning

Abstract

Design the Shift (DTS) is an iterative professional learning series for educators, immersing them as learners with an emphasis on design thinking mindsets. Using DTS as the context, we juxtapose field notes, observations, participant data, and reflection with the Teaching Effectiveness Framework (Friesen, 2009) to understand the impact of design thinking on teacher practice. Implications point towards the complexities in defining our methodology as uniquely design thinking; rather it is a responsive combination of design thinking rooted in creativity and the personalization of learning.