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The Story of Solutions (9:06 minutes)
Draw Toast Exercise (1 hour minimum)
Ask yourself the following question: Based on all that I’ve learned, what do I believe is the best solution to the problem? Draw the steps you believe are needed to solve the problem using the Draw Toast Exercise.
Pro Pro Chart
We build empathy for the stakeholders by looking at how they benefit from possibilities. This method get us into a more creative mindset and unstuck from either/or thinking when generating solutions. Instead we shift our focus to new and unexpected relationships. This is called a Pro-Pro Chart.
1. Go back to some of the solutions you generated in the Toast exercise.
2. Identify two very different ways this problem could be solved. You can look at actions that are already happening.
3. Identify three stakeholders. These are the three groups of people who are most impacted and/or have the most influence in the situation.
4. Capture the benefits of both models. For each model you will list at least three benefits for each stakeholder, for a total of 18 benefits. Each benefit should tell you:
a) What is good for that stakeholder about the model?
b) How does that model produce the benefit?
Source: Rotman I-Think Initiative
Safe Space
Co-creating a space where people feel that they can speak out in spite of their fears is a vital step in the process of learning how to become a changemaker. Empathy researcher Brene Brown explains that being empathetic requires that we be present and wholly engaged without our ‘protective armour’. People wear armour to try to become invisible or fit in with others to hide what they consider to be defects or embarrassing qualities for fear of being judged, labeled, or bullied. It is difficult to feel empathy for others when you are cut off from yourself.
For this reason, we’re starting the change closest to home. Everyone in the changemaking process needs to feel valued, seen, and heard. Because of the culture we inherited and the way our brains work, all of us carry biases. This isn’t wrong or bad, it’s what we do with them that matters. Being humbled can lead to personal transformation.
The exercises below will help you to:
Once the principles of the safe space have been defined and agreed upon by all, they can be used, reinforced, and referred back to as needed throughout the time you share together.
Design Thinking & the Deskless Classroom(Exercise, Time will vary)
Create a Classroom Contract(30-45 minutes)
Learn how to listen: Are you a good listener? (video 5 min + opportunities for deeper thinking)
Empathy & Equity: From the Stanford D.school, this exercise gives designers to an opportunity to pause and notice their biases(15 min daily over the course of week).
Cross the Line: (30-60 min.) We live in a diverse world. In this exercise we will explore the diversity among us by thinking about our values, our backgrounds, our teachers, and our experiences.
CCDI: Explore Power and Privilege (Toolkit with various exercises)
