Description
Book SynopsisDesign thinking is an innovative problem-solving framework. This introduction is the first book to apply its methodology to student affairs and, in doing so, points the way to its potentially wider value to higher education as a whole.With its focus on empathy, which is the need to thoroughly understand users’ experiences, design thinking is user-centered, similar to how student affairs is student-centered. Because the focus of design thinking is to design with users, not for users, it aligns well with student affairs practice. In addition, its focus on empathy makes design thinking a more equitable approach to problem-solving than other methods because all users’ experiences—not just the experiences of majority or “average” student—need to be understood. Centering empathy in problem-solving processes can be a tool to disrupt higher education systems and practices.Design thinking is a framework to foster innovation, and, by its nature, innovation is about responding to change factors with creativity. In an organization, design thinking is inherently connected to organizational change and culture because the process is really about changing people to help them rally around a disruptive idea. Implementing design thinking on a campus may in itself be disruptive and require a change management process. The beauty of using design thinking is that it can also act as a framework to support organizational culture change.Design thinking approaches, with their focus on stakeholder needs (as opposed to systemic norms), collaborative solutions building, and structured empathy activities can offer a concrete tool to disrupt harmful systems of power and oppression. Design thinking as a process is not a magic solution to equity problems, though it can be a powerful tool to approach the development of solutions that can address inequity. Design thinking is data-driven and considers both qualitative and quantitative data as necessary to gain most complete picture of an issue and its possible solutions, whether a product, program, or service.Design thinking has numerous benefits to afford students affairs. Chapter 1 outlines a case for design thinking in student affairs. Chapter 2 discusses a brief history of design thinking, noting its germination and evolution to current practice. Chapter 3 provides a detailed description of each step of the design thinking model with pertinent examples to make the steps clearer. Chapter 4 explains the intersection of equity and design thinking while chapter 5 explores the use of design thinking for organizational change. Chapter 6 presents a new model for design thinking assessment. Chapter 7 addresses the challenges and limitations of the process. Chapter 8 concludes the book by discussing the alignment of design thinking and student affairs and outlining next steps.Design thinking is an innovative process that can change the way higher education and student affairs operates, realizing the potential it offers.
Trade Review"This book presents a reimagined model of assessment with design thinking, and instantly upon seeing it, you know how needed it is in education today. Focusing upon empathy, ideation, and storytelling throughout the assessment process, the authors of this book present a human-centered approach to engage in assessment of student learning. The design thinking assessment model and key questions remind us that our works sits within a larger context, one that can be infused with equity and act as a tool for decolonizing education."
Natasha Jankowski
Former Executive Director of the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment
"Design thinking can move organizations forward and find innovative solutions. This book in particular applies design thinking to student affairs and is a fantastic resource." Find Drew's full video review here.
Drew Koch
Student Services Coordinator, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona
Table of ContentsForeword—Janet Morrison Acknowledgments Preface 1. The Case for Design Thinking in Higher Education and Student Affairs 2. Design Thinking. A Brief History 3. Design Thinking Model 4. Equity and Design Thinking 5. Designing for Organizational Change 6. Design Thinking Assessment. Application of Design Thinking to Student Affairs Assessment 7. Discussion of Challenges and Limitations 8. Pulling the PIeces Together. Alignment of Design Thinking and Student Affairs References About the Authors Index
