Design approach to solving problems preps kids for innovation

By Caitlin Hendee, Denver Business Journal | March 25, 2016

Design Thinking is an approach to problem solving that asks students to draw inspiration through empathy, and then to test ideas through user feedback. It’s also a growing trend among schools in Colorado, said Tara Jahn, senior manager of Next Generation Learning at the Colorado Education Initiative, an independent nonprofit working with the Colorado Department of Education, educators, districts and stakeholders to accelerate innovation and educational improvement. “Originally the process was used as a business strategy to better ‘know’ customers and ensure the products and services being created and delivered were solving an unmet need for a target market,” Jahn said. “Since then national leaders … have transferred the tools, mindsets and processes into the social, international development and education sectors.” READ MORE>