Design Thinking
Design thinking is a problem-solving methodology that emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and an understanding of human experience. Used increasingly in business, technology, engineering, and consulting, design thinking is now taught in top universities around the world.
In 2007, Riverdale began exploring how we could teach and use "design thinking" with our faculty and students. We began talks with a leader in design, IDEO, to create a "toolkit for educators" in order to bring design thinking to schools, teachers and students. This resulted in the Design Thinking Toolkit for Educators, now in its second version having been downloaded over 50,000 times in more than 120 countries.
In 2012, Riverdale received an E.E. Ford Leadership Grant in order to further this work which resulted in an online course in partnership with IDEO and Edutopia, a new version of the toolkit, and a conference welcoming more than 350 people to Riverdale.
We continue to use design thinking in all that we do as we look to redesign the Riverdale experience and the experience of students in schools.
Design Thinking for Educators 2.0
IDEO leads Riverdale teachers and others through the design thinking process.
Design Thinking at RCS
At Riverdale, teachers use design thinking to improve the educational experience for students.
Upper School students spend hours sitting at desks. How comfortable they are affects how well they learn. Riverdale has equipped many of its classrooms with the Node chair designed by IDEO for Steelcase. An example of design thinking, the chair was developed by researching and understanding the needs of students.