ST JOSEPH ’ S INSTITUTION • JOSEPHIAN ANNUAL 2014 LEARNING JOURNEY
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BUSINESS DESIGN THINKING ( BDT ) PROGRAMME
The Business Design Thinking ( BDT ) Programme in SJI is based on the BDT model of the University of Toronto ’ s Rotman School of Management , where this design thinking model envisions the process at three gears founded on the centrality of ‘ Empathy and Deep Understanding ( Gear 1 ). In Gear 2 , ‘ Concept Visualization ’, students prototype and refine their ideas . And in Gear 3 , ‘ Strategic Business Design ’. the implementation of the idea is put through a rigorous process of strategic business planning .
Our Curriculum Design Thinking is about understanding the real needs of the users so as to come up with practical solutions to address their concerns . So it is about everyday real problems and real solutions . When we moved into our holding site at Bishan , we faced many of such real problems . One of which was the heavy traffic situation around SJI every weekday morning . As we cracked our heads how to alleviate this problem , we decided to task our Sec 1s BDT students to come up with viable solutions using the DT model .
Business Design Thinking Model
Students in discussion
Teachers making a mock-up of the library
Teachers in training – selecting visuals for our potential Staffroom .
The process led students to observe the traffic situation at different times of the morning . They also conducted interviews with teachers , parents and students so to better understand and address their concerns . The journey was a rewarding one as it gave rise to active discussions and many good suggestions . The final assessment focused not on the solutions but the process that gave birth to the ideas . It is the spirit of innovation the programme aims to inculcate in the students while working towards problem-solving .
Our Training As part of professional development as effective DT facilitators , the SJI DT Team of teachers undergone continuous training with Singapore Polytechnic . Using the DT thinking model , the team attempted to design what could be the new staffroom and library at the Malcolm Road Campus when we return home in 2016 . Close observations and interviews with the immediate users provided the teams with insights to better understand users needs . The teams were also mindful of the growing needs and future trends when coming up with their designs . It was a fruitful and timely journey as teachers were reminded to empathize the journey undertaken by our students in the task they were assigned .
Brainstorming session
Our Journey From 21st to 28th November 2013 , nine Sec 3 students and 2 teachers from SJI , Mr Ng Shuh Lit and Mrs Lydiawati Wong went to Canada for a two-day ‘ Business Design + Integrative Thinking ’ workshop delivered by the Rotman School of Management , University of Toronto . During the workshop they were tasked to solve a Design Challenge on how to make Toronto a better tourist city by helping tourists discover the richness of Toronto . The students were given opportunities to use Business Design Thinking tools such as Causal modelling , Empathy Modelling , Brainstorming and Prototyping when exploring some of the famous tourists spots in Toronto such as the CN Tower , Casa Loma Castle and the Niagara Falls . At the end of the workshop , they came up with proposals to create an innovative business opportunity for Tourism Toronto . Overall , it was a very fun and enriching experience for the students and the whole group thoroughly enjoyed the learning experience .
Students presenting their work at Rotman .
Group photo at Rotman Design School