Human-Centered Design (HCD) is a subset of design thinking that focuses on empathy as a means for problem solving—know your students well and instruction will better meet their needs. Understand the challenges facing your community, and you can adapt to its priorities.
Because we recognize that an impactful and engaging education system puts people first — students, parents, teachers, community members, we design and re-design opportunities to put both an HCD mindset as well as methods into educators’ toolboxes to ensure their systems stays agile and responsive to their stakeholders now and into the future.
We believe that HCD is an invaluable tool for educators at every level, and we have devoted a team to bringing HCD to as many schools as possible. Our HCD trainers have supported more than 500 educators from dozens of school districts, providing a background in design thinking, as well as teaching the mechanics of methods for empathy, clear problem definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing of solutions.
Additionally, to support educators who have participated in one of our trainings, or want to have a better sense of our approach, we have created a library of Design-Thinking for Educators explainer videos to serve as a resource.
Services
Over the course of two full days, participants take an interactive dive into a collection of design methods tailored to support innovation and problem-solving in their school systems. Educators learn about and practice using methods in a collaborative, authentic environment. This training includes access to additional resources, videos, and editable templates. Complete with ongoing support as teams implement their own design projects back in their home districts.
The Consortium offers two Act 45 courses designed to help school leaders learn and apply the human-centered design mindset and tools to address challenges in their school systems that ultimately foster student growth and achievement. Learn more on our Act 45 page.
Offered as either a one or two-hour interactive presentation, this introduction to HCD includes an overview of the design process, key tools and strategies of effective design, examples of school implementation, and even a little practice. Though packed with design content, participants also have an opportunity to try a variety of HCD methods used at different stages of problem-solving.
Trainers facilitate specific design workshops or sessions tailored to help your team tackle a specific topic or challenge. Past sessions have included:
- Virtual One-Day Intro HCD Training
- Designing a District Portrait of a Graduate/Portrait of a Learner
- Presentations on the intersection of human-centered design, workforce development, student future readiness, and AI
- Workshops on bringing your Portrait of a Graduate to life in the classroom with human-centered design
- Targeted by Grade Level/Audience:
- Design thinking for the STEELS Standards
- Design thinking in the secondary classroom
- Design thinking in the elementary classroom
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Design methods can support a variety of classroom activities, no matter the content. Whenever students have the opportunity to observe, problem solve, get/give feedback, or express their creativity, there is a design method that can help. HCD also provides the structure for modeling and building key soft skills such as communication and collaboration.
HCD strategies can be used during multiple parts of a problem-solving, development, or implementation process to generate innovative ideas, build consensus, and encourage equal input across stakeholders with different perspectives. Other than strict information sharing, if you are looking at a situation that could be strengthened with greater input, there’s an HCD method that can help.
The Consortium is committed to an equitable and inclusive fee structure to maximize the opportunities for districts of all demographics to participate. Districts may qualify for up to a 30% discount on all training costs.
