iDesign
iDesign
I-Design incorporates the use of Design Thinking in our student projects to provide platforms and opportunities for students to design innovative solutions that can cater to the needs of fellow schoolmates, school and the larger community.
As we develop Horizon Stars to be empathic problem solvers, we aim to equip every child with the ability to:
(i) Generate novel ideas;
(ii) Exercise sound reasoning and reflective thinking to make good decisions; and
(iii) Manages complexities and ambiguities.
I-Design leverages the 7 Habits of our I-LEAD+ programme and Design Thinking approach to grow compassionate innovators of today so that they can glow as exemplary contributors of tomorrow. Through the infusion of Design Thinking Mindset in our students, we hope to develop compassionate innovators and exemplary contributors who are empathic, think independently and critically, take calculated risks, strive for excellence and contributes for the betterment of others.
Design thinking is a solution-based approach that focuses on people and create better solutions for them. Our students are given platforms to empathise with others in the search of an opportunity that motivates them to work on a solution. While students are creating their innovations, the journey may not be smooth-sailing and there may be failures. This process encourages a vibrant thinking culture where students are not afraid to experiment and to learn through productive failure as they prototype to validate their ideas. This is very much aligned to educationist and philosopher John Dewey’s theory of constructivism where learning involves integration of learners and his/her own observations in a cycle of creation and observation.
Leveraging VIA to provide enriched learning experiences that encourage students to make a difference to others’ lives and make our home, Singapore, a better place to live in, students are equipped with Design Thinking skills so that they can impact the home, school and community during their journey in Horizon. Students learn and use the Design Thinking Tools in the process of initiating VIA projects where they develop to become empathic problem solvers. For example, our P6 students applied the use of Design Thinking Tools in the process of understanding the needs of the migrant workers before designing the Care-pac to be given to them as part of our appreciation to their contributions.
Level | Project Title | Design Thinking Tools used | Design Thinking Process |
1 | I’m a Good Helper | Inspiration Chart and Ideation Chart | Empathise |
2 | Caring Neighbour Starts with Me! | Empathise, Define, Ideate, Prototype | |
3 | I'm A Caring Commuter | ||
4 | Uncovering our Roots | ||
5 | Children for Others | ||
6 | CarePAC for Migrant Workers |
School Experiences
As we strive to provide a holistic learning experience for our students, I-Design is also incorporated in the various aspects of students’ learning experience in Horizon.
| Learning Experience | Description |
|---|---|
| CCAs | I-Design is integrated during Innovations Club and We-care CCA lessons where our students are given the opportunities to observe and empathise with different groups of people and creating better solutions for them through various activities and projects carried out. |
| School Captains Projects | Our School Captains also use I-Design in the refinement of their V.O.I.C.E newsletter to get feedback from their peers and enhance the quality of their newsletter. |
| ALP (CTIM) |
During computational thinking lessons for our Primary 6 students, I-Design is incorporated to guide our students to design feasible solutions based on their users’ needs. |
At the end of the process, our students become more resilient and reflective self-directed learners who question, reflect and persevere. Students learn to communicate effectively and synergise with their group members. They will learn to resolve conflicts and respect one another’s ideas during their discussions. Through the process of creating their innovations, our students learn to take calculated risks and work with ambiguity. All of these are essential in preparing our students to become future-ready learners equipped with knowledge, skills and positive dispositions, ready to embark on life-long learning.