Semester Exam: Design Thinking

Design Thinking:  Ideas For Improving Something Good

Introduction
What we do at DRHSART works really well, and we've proven year after year that we know how to get results. But, that's not enough.  This program is predicated on excellence, and in order to continue the tradition of excellence we've established, we must look at how we do things and spot opportunities for improvement. Let's put our brains together, and use the mandatory "Exam" as a way to improve this program as a whole.


Part One:  Spaces  
I want this classroom to be collaborative, organized, intuitive, and safe.  I think it is most of those things, but how can we make it better?  I want you to brainstorm and mind map solutions to the following questions, and then organize your thoughts into the exam assignment I've given you in Google Classroom.

1. How might we redesign the classroom so that all of its spaces are used effectively, while avoiding clutter, and increasing the user experience?

2. How might we better organize the room so that set up, clean up, and storage are more efficient for all classes?

3. Additionally, how might we keep better track of materials and help them last longer, without inventing more work for the teacher? 

4. How might our artwork be better represented outside of the art hallway?


Part Two:  Systems  
I want our systems of communication and assessment to be fair, engaging, and efficient. I've worked hard to make these things be true, but how could we make our systems of communication and assessment even better?  Follow the same steps as you did in Part One to brainstorm and organize your thoughts into the exam assignment in Google Classroom.

1.  How might students learn more during the critique process? 

2.  How could we improve the overall communication between the instructor and the students? 

3.  Without inventing extra work for the teacher, what methods of assessment would be more successful than those currently in place.



Part Three:  Curriculum  
I want our curriculum to foster critical-thinking in an engaging and relevant manner. Staying relevant, and keeping students engaged is a big challenge in education, and who could be better to help develop that type curriculum than the students themselves?  Follow the steps from the first two parts of this exam, and organize your thoughts into the exam assignment in Google Classroom.


1.  How might the curriculum for Art 45 more intentionally connect our content to the interests and desires of our students? 


2.  How might we challenge students to think critically, collaborate with peers, and exercise their creativity to create original works of art that have value?


4.  Most importantly, how might we invent assignments that keep students driven and motivated after spring break?


Part Four:  Personal Reflection and Goals  
Personal reflection is essential to the success of an individual.  It is from our introspection that we can be honest about our work ethic, our accomplishments, our dreams, and our abilities.  This portion of the exam is the most important, and I ask that you each look within yourselves and answer these questions thoroughly and honestly.



1.  Describe your proudest moment from this year at DRHSART, and discuss why you feel that way. What, specifically, gave you more confidence about this work than the rest? Help me understand the process you used, and the ideas behind the work that made this your accomplishment of the year so far.


2.  Describe your least successful work of the year at DRHSART, and discuss why you think it was not successful. It’s important to be able to reflect on both your success and your failure, as they are equally important in teaching you about your next great work. After discussing why you think this particular work was not your best, discuss how you would improve it if given the opportunity to do it again.

3.  What do you see for yourself over the course of the final semester of this school year?  What are your artistic goals, and how do you plan to execute them?