The LAUNCH Cycle: A Design Thinking Framework for Education

Here's the transcript:
Design thinking is a flexible framework for getting the most out of the creative process. It is used in the arts, in engineering, in the corporate world, and in social and civic spaces. You can use it in every subject with every age group. It works when creating digital content or when building things with duct tape and cardboard.

Although there are many models for design thinking, we have developed the student-friendly LAUNCH Cycle. Here’s how it works.

In the first phase, students look, listen, and learn.
The goal here is awareness. It might be a sense of wonder at a process or an awareness of a problem or a sense of empathy toward an audience.

Sparked by curiosity, students move to the second phase, where they ask tons of questions.

This leads to understanding the process or problem through an authentic research experience. They might conduct interviews or needs assessments, research articles, watch videos, or analyze data.

Students apply that newly acquired knowledge to potential solutions. In this phase, they navigate ideas. Here they not only brainstorm, but they also analyze ideas, combine ideas, and generate a concept for what they will create.

In this next phase, they create a prototype. It might be a digital work or a tangible product, a work of art or something they engineer. It might even be an action or an event or a system.

Next, they begin to highlight what’s working and fix what’s failing. The goal here is to view this revision process as an experiment full of iterations, where every mistake takes them closer to success.

Then, when it’s done, it’s ready to launch. In the launch phase, they send it to an authentic audience. They share their work with the world!

[itsmuraa_]

I AM FROM 2020 USING THIS VIDEO FOR MY 6th GRADE TECH CLASS THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO

[ahouraazarbin]

Hi john, would you mind it, if I use some parts of your video, to promote a design thinking session in my university for students?

[sameerabasheer]

Do we have any videos or sites which show us how the LAUNCH cycle is implemented?

[luisguillermocolongonzalez]

Thx for helping me I'm doing homework of the launch cycling

[drkayotu]

So I think this video is quite interesting and valuable. However, am I the only one that finds the background music very distracting. I had to watch the video 4-5 times. This background music is added a lot and I get that it is funky. Genuinely curious - why is the music added (I realize I may be showing my age here).

[DesignDrawDo]

Amazing! Can't wait to implement this :)

[jeffpeterson]

I love the idea of using design thinking in many things. Too often people will think it is a process limited to STEM or engineering. Thank you for sharing this vision of how design thinking can be applied across the curriculum.

[susannemorning]

brilliant, this is relevant and engaging education that motivates.

[chrispalmer]

Great stuff, really. I am already working on a plan to implement this in my classes next year; however, I am curious as to your grading practices when using the LAUNCH cycle. Do you have rubrics that accompany the inherent nature of it or do you have to grade on the fly, so to speak?

[tegannewham]

Such a fantastic video, using this for a university assignment. Thanks so much!

[enbeeque]

Really enjoy your informative videos. Just a suggestion, I find the background music distracting and hard to listen to what you are saying. I would prefer music that is less majestic and overpowering. Just thought I'd share since we're talking about how learners learn :)

[susanvaughan]

Love the Launch Cycle.. it is great.. keep up the good work..

[jared]

El unico español? :v vine aqui por mi clase jsjsjs

[ginarand]

What app did you use to create this video? Very creative and informative!

[TheDeniseleigh]

John, Your videos and insight are on point. I love all your material. Thank you!

[btsarmylover]

thx for the example my school are working for STEAM a=arts Ik some are STEM but thx anyways