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OWL Team
Jul 1, 2023
Professor Elizabeth Crawford partnered with Open Way Learning to introduce design thinking to students in the Master of Arts in Elementary Education program.
During the 2022-23 academic year, WCE Professor Elizabeth Crawford collaborated with Open Way Learning (OWL) to introduce design thinking into the Master of Arts in Elementary Education program. With the support of OWL’s Outreach Director, Ben Pendarvis, Crawford revised the instructional design course LIC 501 and its lab course to incorporate design thinking principles. This initiative guided students in researching their teaching contexts, creating empathy-driven lesson plans, and reflecting on their practices.
Students like MAT candidate Brooks Rockwell found this approach beneficial, emphasizing the importance of core values and diverse representation in lessons. The impact of this partnership was featured in an article by Crawford and Pendarvis, providing tips for educators on using design thinking, published on the Institute for Humane Education’s website. Crawford plans to continue using OWL resources to enhance her teaching and the quality of education for all students.