Design Thinking

DESIGN THINKING

The Design Thinking (DT) framework at Meridian Secondary School underwent refinement to enhance the iterative process. This approach, based on ‘Feel-Think-Do-Share’, drives innovation and emphasises empathetic engagement, supporting student well-being through adaptive thinking.

DT has become integral to various school aspects, including student-led VIA, timetabling and the Professional Learning Teams (PLTs). In PLTs, Design Thinking guides the creation of problem statements and influences the structure of mid-point sharing through lightning talks. The framework is also embedded into student-teacher conversations within relational circles, fostering a culture of empathy and deeper understanding. This refined approach aligns with the school's collaborative efforts and the emphasis on iterative development.

STUDENT INNOVATION

STUDENTS

Secondary 1 students will experience the DT process of ‘Feel’, ‘Think’ ‘Do’ and ‘Share’ through an in-house workshop conducted within the FCE lesson. To experience empathy (Feel), they will be given a scenario in which they have to re-enact. They will then brainstorm on possible solutions and create a prototype of their chosen solution.

Thereafter, students will explain their chosen problem issue and prototype to their classmates. Classmates will then be given the opportunity to provide feedback on their friends’ prototypes.

In using the DT process, users are required to apply several 21st Century Skills such as creative, adaptive thinking, decision making, new media literacy, empathy and cross-disciplinary competency by coming up with solutions to improve our current living environment and its processes. Through DT, Meridian Secondary aims to inspire learners to be innovative problem solvers and effective decision makers, equipping them effectively to face future challenges in the real world.

DT will be incorporated progressively into the school processes and programmes for staff and students respectively. For students, the DT approach will be implemented in three main school programmes. The three programmes are Food and Consumer Education (FCE)/ Design & Technology (D&T) at Sec 1, Applied Learning Programe (ALP) at Sec 2, and Values-In-Action (VIA) at Sec 3 as these subjects and/school programmes lend themselves to the use of the DT process.

STUDENT LEADERS

A group of Sec 3 student leaders go through further DT training to apply their skills in various school needs and in the community.

STAFF INNOVATION

All staff are trained in Design Thinking through an in-house workshop conducted by the Innovation Team.

At the beginning of the year, all staff went through a Design Thinking (DT) Refresher Workshop. This workshop aims to strengthen teachers’ knowledge on DT processes, focusing on the ‘Empathy’ stage.

With the enhanced knowledge in DT, which is a tool for innovation, staff will then apply the processes into their various areas of work for improvements and innovation.

Staff submit their ideas via the Changemakers Challenge and the best ideas are shared with all staff via video and recognised during Staff Contact Time and social media.