Students in the upper level classes of the Teaching as a Profession and Early Childhood Education Pathways at Alexander High School recently explored the power of design thinking by taking on the challenge of designing an ideal wallet tailored to a specific user's needs. In this engaging activity, students honed their employability skills, with a particular focus on creativity—a key asset in today's workforce.
Through thoughtful communication and interviews with their project partners, students identified unique needs and preferences in order to design and create customized wallets for each other. Each student then presented their creation, highlighting the key features and explaining how those features catered to their user's needs.
This hands-on experience not only sparked creativity but also reinforced the importance of user-centered design in problem-solving.
According to AHS teacher Brooke Morris, "My students were completely locked in throughout the entire design thinking process. They were so proud of what they created, and it brought out a creative side they didn't know they had. Their hard work and dedication showed in the detailed designs, and many were eager to take their creations home. It was an incredible experience to see them grow and apply their creativity in such a practical way."
Critiques were an essential part of the design process in this project. “After creating their wallets, students interviewed the person they designed for to gather feedback and explore ways to improve their designs,” Morris added. “This aspect of the project was particularly valuable, as it required them to use their communication skills and think creatively about potential improvements. It pushed them to step outside their comfort zones and consider how they could further enhance their work based on real user feedback.”