Grammar Gazette- Issue 1, 2014

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THOUGHT LEADER IN RESIDENCE: DESIGN THINKING

Teaching girls the art of critical thinking is essential to building their capacity to make good, well-considered decisions and achieve personal goals. To support this philosophy, Girls Grammar runs a Thought Leader in Residence programme, this year engaging Adam Blake, National Programmes and Partnerships Director at the Creative Industries Innovation Centre, hosted by the University of Technology, Sydney.

In March, Mr Blake worked with students and staff at the School to introduce ‘design thinking’ into the way we teach and learn. Design thinking is “a structured approach to generating and developing ideas” (Design Thinking for Educators, 2014), most typically used in the creation of products.

However, it translates well to the education sector as in its simplest form it is a process for finding solutions to challenges. The emphasis on slow learning highlights the importance of imagination and the value of not rushing to the end result, a fundamental life lesson.

GRAMMAR GAZETTE