Design Thinking With Verizon Innovative Learning HQ

Purpose & objective

Earlier this year, Google, in partnership with Gallup, released a report about the gender gap in computer science (https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/code-with-google/gender-gap-computer-science/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=20210505-CSGenderGapGallup2021--all-all-&src=org-tw-20210505-CSGenderGapGallup2021--all-all-). According to their findings, 88% of girls are not likely to pursue a career in computer science, reporting, “I feel judged” and “it’s a boy’s career.” Despite their best intentions, parents, too, have reservations about their girls entering the technology workforce, believing, “it’s a man’s job.”

And it’s not only gender. Opportunity gaps exist based on race and ethnicity, where students who are white on average earn more high school credits in STEM than their Black and Hispanic peers (U.S. Department of Education, https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2016/2016007.pdf). These gaps create self-fulfilling prophecies where students do not pursue STEM degrees and careers because “these subjects are too hard” (Pew Research, https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/01/17/half-of-americans-think-young-people-dont-pursue-stem-because-it-is-too-hard/). Primarily, people cite “cost and time barriers,” “having difficulty with STEM classes,” and losing interest in STEM as reasons for not pursuing these in-demand careers (Pew Research, https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/01/17/half-of-americans-think-young-people-dont-pursue-stem-because-it-is-too-hard/).

To address these critical issues, Verizon Innovative Learning HQ (www.verizon.com/learning) was created by educators and for educators in response to the global pandemic. This open-source platform provides K-12 educators with free, adaptable lesson plans, unit plans, and applications in order to provide students with immersive learning experiences in design thinking and more.

In this session, participants will be able to understand what design thinking is and how it applies to all subjects, especially STEM. In addition, participants will learn what the Verizon Innovative Learning HQ is and how to leverage its entirely free content (lessons, apps, PD, and more) to support student learning in design thinking.

Outline

First, participants will engage in an impromptu networking session to explore "What big challenge do you bring to this session? What do you hope to get from and give this group or community?"

Next, participants will learn what the design thinking process is and how it aligns with project-based learning, discovery, student choice, and creativity.

Participants will then be introduced to Verizon Innovative Learning HQ (www.verizon.com/learning) and come to know why it was created and how it provides turnkey PD and lesson and app content that can be used in classrooms the very next day.

Specifically, attendees will learn about three lesson plans centered around design thinking that are flexible and can be adapted to meet the needs of various learners. Participants will have time to try one of the design thinking activities for themselves to engage in the learning that their students will be engaged in.

Supporting research

- www.verizon.com/learning
- https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/code-with-google/gender-gap-computer-science/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=20210505-CSGenderGapGallup2021--all-all-&src=org-tw-20210505-CSGenderGapGallup2021--all-all-
- https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2016/2016007.pdf
- https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/01/17/half-of-americans-think-young-people-dont-pursue-stem-because-it-is-too-hard/
- https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/01/17/half-of-americans-think-young-people-dont-pursue-stem-because-it-is-too-hard/