I recently began writing about the impact that design thinking can have on project-based learning, particularly in terms of 
taking PBL from theory to actual classroom practice. In this post, I’ll share two design methods that pair well together for student project research. Be sure to check out the explainer videos for step-by-step tutorials!
Method #1: Stakeholder Mapping
Whenever students are trying to address a PBL challenge, they sometimes gravitate toward solutions without engaging with the folks who might be integral to getting the job done. That authentic audience that we talk about so much in PBL may well include the very stakeholders invested in the issue at hand. A stakeholder map helps identify the many different people that make up a community or system, as well as the relationships that they share between one another. A stakeholder map creates a launchpad for students to learn from others as part of their project research.
For example, let’s say that students are trying to reduce waste at their school; in order to dig into this challenge, they’ll probably need to figure out who the stakeholders are in that system so that they can determine the root issues and work together to find a solution. In this case, the stakeholders might include the principal, food service workers, students, janitorial staff, science teachers, the food service director, etc. Identifying all of these folks early on in the project process will unlock a world of opportunities for students expand their understanding of the challenge they are undertaking
Here’s what you’ll need (for in-person):
- Sticky notes
- Markers
- Either flip chart paper or a whiteboard
If you’re working virtually, pretty much any virtual whiteboard will work, including Jamboard, Padlet, and MS Whiteboard.
Check out our explainer video to learn how this method works in practice.
Method #2: Interviewing
Once students identify the stakeholders involved in their PBL challenge, one of the most valuable tools at their disposal is the interview; not the job interview-type-interview, but rather the ethnographer-asking-open-ended questions-to-empathize-and understand-another-person’s-experience-type interview. I’m talking about having conversations with stakeholders as a way to learn deeply about their thoughts and experiences.
Interviewing represents a robust means for students to learn directly from stakeholders while also building key soft skills like clear communication and active listening.
Here’s what you’ll need (for in-person):
- A few prepared questions to start the conversation.
- A quiet space to talk.
- A pen and paper for note-taking (or a computer/smartphone)
- Recording equipment (if you want to get pretty serious with documentation)
If you’re working virtually, pretty much any video chat service will suffice, whether using Zoom, WebEx, or Google Meets.
There are a lot of great strategies for conducting a successful interview; check out our explainer video to learn how this method works in practice.
