Design Project: Problem Solving Session

In our last problem-solving session of this pathway development, we tackled the learners’ final project. The pathway will culminate in a month-long collaborative Design Project, in which learners apply knowledge and skills from their two courses to complete a design challenge.

We would like the Design Project to:

• Take the form of an authentic performance task
• Require leaners to design with a specific user in mind
• Provide learners with significant opportunity to make their work personally meaningful

We started our session by working creatively as a group on a simple drawing task. This activity encouraged us to see ideas and add to what others have offered already. We started with three basic shapes on the board and ended up with what is pictured below.

This was a warm-up to the main problem that needed to be solved: what should the final Design Project be?

Some design projects that we are considering are:

• New App Expo – leaners create a new app concept that they publically pitch at a New App Expo
• Artstream Student Websites – Pathway students create a professional website for an Artstream student to showcase their identity as an artist and their work.
• Digital Image Consultant – Are you a BVC employee that is looking to develop or enhance your professional online presence?  Pathway learners are here to help!

And thanks to this brainstorm we added:

• Music Connect – marketing for an initiative that allows learners from SFL to showcase their musical talent
• Promotional video for the college – as a celebration to highlight all the interesting opportunities on campus
• App with a Virtual Tour – of the college or surrounding area
• Premier’s Luncheon – marketing for this event
• Digital Storytelling – for the kids in the BVC day care

After this brainstorm, we used the 6 Thinking Hats method to further explore one of the options. It is during this exercise that we start to ask questions such as, would the learners have the skills to complete such a project, and think about connected opportunities, such as mentorships or partnerships with other learner groups at the college.

This was a very creative and productive process for us. Many thanks to those who were able to join us at this, and the previous, problem-solving sessions.

We were holding these open problem solving sessions every two weeks as part of the development of the Career Program Pathway – Creative Technologies project. The purpose of these sessions is twofold: give SFL and CT faculty multiple opportunities to get involved in the development process, and for the course developers to be able to learn from the expertise of others and apply that knowledge in this project.

Interested in the results of our last Problem Solving Session? Check out our post on this blog: Feedback on Learning Outcomes and Objectives. Have ideas to share but were not able to make a session? You can chat anytime with Allison, Penny, or Deanna.