In support of the university's Design Thinking Initiative, whose mission is to expand understanding of and experience with a collaborative process of interdisciplinary and integrative problem solving, the Pew FTLC provides interested faculty with additional professional development opportunities specifically related to teaching and learning.  We offer on-demand workshops for faculty to learn more about the model and its application in the classroom, sponsor faculty learning communities to further faculty understanding of the model, provide private consultations to those faculty interested in implementing the model, and provide grant funding opportunities for major design thinking teaching projects.  Contact David Eick, Pew FTLC Faculty Fellow, for additional information.

2018 Design Thinking Immersion

May 17 - 18, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Innovation Lab - LOH 179

This two-day workshop, facilitated by GVSU faculty, will introduce faculty to the Design Thinking framework in a fast-paced, hands-on way. The intended audience is faculty who are new to Design Thinking and have not yet experienced a full design cycle. For questions, please contact David Coffey ([email protected]). Register in Sprout. 

Fall 2017 Faculty Learning Community

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT: TRANSFORMING EDUCATION THROUGH DESIGN THINKING, INNOVATION, AND INVENTION

How might we continue to spark creative growth for both learners and educators through the use of Design Thinking?

Creativity in the classroom can increase independent thinking and inquiry, adaptive problem-finding and problem-solving, and success when meeting new and unexpected challenges. Designing a classroom culture where creativity is valued and prioritized with continual support and maintenance remains challenging. One approach to help inspire creativity is applying concepts and mindsets outlined through Design Thinking methodology. Design Thinking is an interdisciplinary and integrative approach to identifying problems, prototyping out-of-the-box ideas, and continually refining in a human-centered manner. Through the use of design thinking, this group will aim to inspire participants to explore a creative spirit that helps to build a creative and innovative classroom for students.

Meeting Time/Dates/Location: 2:30-4:00 p.m., Mondays; 9/25, 10/9, 10/23, 11/6, 11/20, 12/4; Allendale Campus (Kindschi Hall of Science room 4429)

Facilitators: Amy Gyorkos, [email protected], 331-3357, David Coffey, [email protected], 331-3747

Fall 2017 Faculty Learning Community

USING THE POWER OF DESIGN THINKING IN THE CLASSROOM: UNIVERSAL METHODS OF DESIGN

How might we be able to apply the concepts of design thinking to structure conversations and create and build meaning in our subject matter?

Applying the design thinking process can be challenging.  With what subject matter does it work best? How does one find the time to create and innovate? How does one give up control in the classroom and still teach content? This Faculty Learning Community will explore ways to unpack and explore some of the tried and true methods of facilitating conversations in human-centered design while researching complex problems, developing innovative ideas, and designing effective solutions.  Martin & Hanington's Universal Methods of Design (Beverley, MA: Rockport Publishing) will be used as a resource for the discussion.

Meeting Time/Dates/Location: Wednesdays, 3:00-4:30 p.m.

9/20 – CHS 140
10/4 – CHS 140
10/18 – CHS 140
11/1 – CHS 240
11/15 – CHS 140
11/29 – CHS 240

Facilitator: Jody Vogelzang, [email protected], 331-5059

2017 Design Thinking Faculty Summit

Date/Time/Location TBD

The Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center will host the 2nd Annual Design Thinking Faculty Summit in Fall 2017.  We hope to continue connecting faculty who are interested in or already using design thinking and explore how to better integrate design thinking methodology into the curriculum at GVSU. We believe there is a lot to learn from each other beyond our own disciplines and we invite this broader conversation around best practice.