From the 22nd to the 25th of February 2022, Form 3 students were engaged in the Technology in Problem Solving (TiPS) programme. TiPS, a Project-Based Learning approach envisioned as the first step of rethinking our pedagogy in teaching important soft skills, was developed by experts at Stanford University and employs the Design Thinking Model of problem-solving is currently recognized as one of the best methods of solving problems. Research identifies soft skills, or Work and Industry Neutral Growth Skills (WINGS) as the most relevant skills required for future competitiveness in the workplace.
The week’s programme saw students working in groups, constituted in mixed ability groupings from all classes to tap into individual strengths. Students explored problems associated with the school or community categorized under five different global challenges: Health, Sanitation, Manufacturing, Agriculture and Natural Resources. TiPS afforded students the opportunity to experience and apply Work and Industry Neutral Skills in a structured way; understanding users through Empathy, identifying and defining problems, (Who needs what and why?) Ideating by brainstorming multiple ideas from which the most feasible solutions are chosen, and building Prototypes to try out and Test for feedback.
This demanded Collaboration and Teamwork, Creativity, Critical thinking, Problem-Solving and Feedback. Time management, Social management and Recordkeeping skills, among others also came into play. Guidance was provided by mentors, and students were supervised throughout the 5-stages of the design thinking process. After research and information gathering, students worked with their teams to define the problem, brainstorming ideas for a solution statement. A prototype representing their interpretation of the solution was then designed, built and tested through evaluation and feedback from peers and mentors prior to final refinement. Despite the challenge, our students persevered, gaining valuable insights and skills throughout the process.
Their reflections and documentation of skills gained at the end of each day were shared in great feedback on the process and the learning experience. They learned to interact and dialogue with students they hadn’t previously spoken to, learned to use 3D modelling for their prototypes, developing critical thinking, collaboration and public speaking skills. Responding to what they enjoyed most about the TiPS programme, a student stated: “I loved the mix-ups, getting to meet new people, talking about our ideas and excelling in spreading learning, formulating, fixing and creating those ideas so that they can be properly implemented was really fun and cool”. TiPs was a huge success!
