Using Design Thinking Practices to Create Technology-Driven Adult Professional Development Programs

Abstract

Instructors are encouraged to train their students to be creative, critical thinkers, and innovative future leaders; unfortunately, most have not been trained in the same way as they are expected to teach. Instructors need to learn how to inspire innovation and 21st century skills by practicing and teaching those skills themselves. One way to do that is by learning the design thinking process, incorporating it into instruction, and using it to develop students' knowledge, skills, and attitudes/beliefs (KSABs) in similar ways. Understanding and employing the design thinking process and combining those tools with relevant and authentic instructional technologies can prepare instructors to develop the skills of tomorrow's workforce, innovators, and future leaders. This chapter discusses the importance of training teachers to use the design thinking process while using the design thinking process to instruct them. Best practices and examples of such professional development are offered.