Tech Tip: Innovator Mindsets

Deep Dive: Bold

Why does this matter?

Learning environments that create a safe space where learners are encouraged to take risks prepare them to share their ideas in classrooms and future careers. This helps every learner develop leadership skills.

Tips for building this mindset:

• Provide structured time for learners to share their ideas and build confidence.
• Provide opportunities for creative open-ended brainstorms.
• Sometimes fun, whimsical activities lead to the most wild ideas.

Facilitative Questions:

• That’s a great idea to explore. Have you shared it with your group yet?
• Can we try writing it down or sharing it with a friend before sharing it with the group?
• What can you do when you are nervous or unsure about an idea?
• What support do you need to gain the confidence to share an idea?

Examples of learners practicing this mindset:

• Trying out an idea they aren't sure will work. 
• Having the confidence to share their ideas even when they are nervous.

Resources:

Deep Dive: Curious

Why does this matter?

Curiosity drives discovery. It empowers learners to wonder, question, and be open to different perspectives. 

Tips for building this mindset:

• Encourage learners to ask lots of questions (Why? How? What if?).
• Use inquiry and guiding questions to start an activity. 
  • Have learners help you build investigative questions.
• Have learners keep a journal recording what they notice and their questions.

Facilitative Questions:

• What do you think would happen if ___?
• What do you notice? What observations do you have? 
• What do you wonder? What questions do you have about this?
• If you don’t know something, how can you figure out a way to learn more?

Examples of learners practicing this mindset:

• Learners investigate the available materials to learn about their properties.
• Learners ask questions about the world around them.
• Learners try many different solutions to a problem. 

Resources:

Deep Dive: Perseverant

Why does this matter?

Teaching learners to persevere through set-backs helps reinforce their identity as problem solvers. Reflecting helps learners understand how failure is an important part of the process. 

Tips for building this mindset:

• Repeatedly remind learners that failure is part of the process!
• Give learners multiple opportunities to iterate and redesign. 
• Provide learners examples of real-world situations where innovators failed and used what they learned to make something new.
• Build intrinsic motivations into the process. For example, have learners celebrate small successes and give each other shout-outs. 

Facilitative Questions:

• Are there other ways you could solve the problem?
• If you can't find a solution right away, what can you do? 
• What did you learn from failing? (Techniques, gained knowledge, refining skills, etc.). 

Examples of learners practicing this mindset:

• Learners iterate on their devices multiple times, trying new ideas each time.
• Learners overcome frustration and keep trying. 

Resources:

Deep Dive: Empathetic

Why does this matter?

Prioritizing the needs of a user can lead to broader interest and participation, more inclusive design thinking, and additional engineering practices. Narrative additions result in more iterations and solutions from learners. 

Tips for building this mindset:

• Inclusive language practices are important, but keep in mind that not all communities want to be recognized in the same way. 
  • People-first language: Referring to the person before a disability. Examples include: adult with epilepsy, child with dyslexia 
  • Identity-first language: Referring to the disability before the person. Examples include: Deaf community, autistic person 
• Try incorporating narrative elements into a Design Challenge Learning activity, like framing a challenge with a design scenario to help learners relate the problem to real-life situations.
• Challenge learners to interview real-life users or provide them with personas to reference.

Facilitative Questions:

• Who do you think would have trouble using your design? Could you make it more accessible to them
• How can you include the voices and input of others?
• How do you think others would respond to your design?

Examples of learners practicing this mindset:

• Learners consider how a passenger can be safe and comfortable riding in a device.
• Learners design devices based on the needs of a user from a persona or scenario.

Resources:

Deep Dive: Collaboration

Why does this matter?

Collaboration is essential when working with a team. Encouraging social-emotional learning (SEL) skills like active listening prepares learners to work together on complex challenges.

Tips for building this mindset:

• Invite learners to brainstorm independently for a minute before brainstorming as a group. This will give more reserved learners time to gather their thoughts before the group starts working together.
• Have everyone share tasks, but use the roles to support leadership and accountability. 
  • For example, the recorder's job is to make sure someone in the group is always taking notes. 
• Have learners intentionally reflect on how they included others in the process.
• Provide formal opportunities for learners to shout-out their teammates and appreciate their contributions.

Facilitative Questions:

• How can you make sure everyone on your team has a chance to contribute? (Is heard?) (Is included?)
• What if we try both ideas? Try yours on one test and  ______’s on a different test?
• How can you stand up for yourself while respecting others?

Examples of learners practicing this mindset:

• A group of learners brainstorming on a design sketch together.
• Everyone in the group contributes to a list of ideas they want to test.
• Learners all take turns sharing their design.

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