This is a good way to find problems and solutions with a human-centered approach.
Difficulty: 3/5
TIME
20 minutes to set up. The activity should take another 40 minutes.
Participants
Groups of 3-4 Humans
Core Competency Connection
MATERIALS
- Chairs (in groups of 3 or 4)
- Sharpies
- Sticky notes
- Whiteboard
PREP
Set up your stations:
- Set up each group station with a whiteboard, stickies and black sharpies
The Process
Step 1: Dreams & Gripes
- Using sticky notes and sharpies, have participants brainstorm a list of issues they’ve observed or experienced in a learning environment they’re familiar with.
Step 2: The good, the bad, the ugly
- Participants write one answer per sticky and to say it out loud as they place it on a board.
- Encourage both text and drawings.
- Participants can list each issue as either a “dream” (e.g., I wish there were more meeting places outside on campus) or a “gripe” (It annoys me that there are no outdoor workspaces on campus— only benches!).
Step 3: How Might We…?
- Once you’ve identified the issues, choose one and change the statement into a potential design challenge by adding the words “How might we…?” to the start of the statement.
- Using “How” indicates that you do not yet have the answer, “might” emphasizes that responses are only possible solutions, and “we” adds an element of collaboration.
Step 4: Are we clear?
- Evaluate whether your “how might we” statement is clear and actionable.
Tips & Tricks
- Stick to a timeline. Invite participants to form varied groups (roles and functions).
- Encourage drawing when brainstorming issues. The facilitator keeps track of the time.
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