Abstract
Classroom Architect is a project-based curriculum that uses the principles of design thinking to review mathematical concepts, such as measurement, scale and area. The anchor task in this curriculum is to create a 3-D virtual model of the ideal classroom, based on the data the students collect. The curriculum uses design thinking as leverage to help students transfer classroom knowledge to real world problem-solving situations. Specifically, the students go through design thinking process -- user needs discovery, ideation, prototype and redesign. In each step of the process different mathematical concepts are reviewed and reinforced through their application to the task. The students will present their final prototype, justifying their design decisions, and mathematical calculations. Classroom Architect promotes an enduring understanding of key concepts of both design thinking and mathematics. It focuses on the learning of cognitive skills, such as problem solving, flexible thinking, making connections, representation of material in multiple ways, collaboration and application of mathematical concepts and skills to develop solutions. The curriculum is developed by applying Wiggins and McTighe’s Backward Design method, with six design imperatives, (i) Knowledge Transfer and Application, (ii) Experiential Learning, (iii) Multiple Entries to Learning and Mastery, (iv) Scaffolds that Enable, (v) “Fit For Purpose” Assessment and (vi) Technology that Inspires Learning.
Keywords
Design curriculum, Design education for non-designers
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/learnxdesign.2013.078
Citation
Kim, J., Kwek, S.H., Meltzer, C.,and Wong, P.(2013) Classroom Architect: Integrating Design Thinking and Math, in Reitan, J.B., Lloyd, P., Bohemia, E., Nielsen, L.M., Digranes, I., & Lutnæs, E. (eds.), DRS // Cumulus: Design Learning for Tomorrow, 14-17 May, Oslo, Norway. https://doi.org/10.21606/learnxdesign.2013.078
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Included in
Classroom Architect: Integrating Design Thinking and Math
Classroom Architect is a project-based curriculum that uses the principles of design thinking to review mathematical concepts, such as measurement, scale and area. The anchor task in this curriculum is to create a 3-D virtual model of the ideal classroom, based on the data the students collect. The curriculum uses design thinking as leverage to help students transfer classroom knowledge to real world problem-solving situations. Specifically, the students go through design thinking process -- user needs discovery, ideation, prototype and redesign. In each step of the process different mathematical concepts are reviewed and reinforced through their application to the task. The students will present their final prototype, justifying their design decisions, and mathematical calculations. Classroom Architect promotes an enduring understanding of key concepts of both design thinking and mathematics. It focuses on the learning of cognitive skills, such as problem solving, flexible thinking, making connections, representation of material in multiple ways, collaboration and application of mathematical concepts and skills to develop solutions. The curriculum is developed by applying Wiggins and McTighe’s Backward Design method, with six design imperatives, (i) Knowledge Transfer and Application, (ii) Experiential Learning, (iii) Multiple Entries to Learning and Mastery, (iv) Scaffolds that Enable, (v) “Fit For Purpose” Assessment and (vi) Technology that Inspires Learning.