By: Kaelyn Griffiths
I think the most exciting thing about this program is that we are focusing on issues that we have an incredible opportunity to actually fix right now. In the midst of this global pandemic and a shift to online learning, it has forced everyone involved in the education system to reevaluate how we learn and structure education. Student input is even more critical than ever before and I think programs like this, that are student-driven, can really promote change that is beneficial for our peers.
With OpenDesign+, I hope that my team can design something that will practically solve an issue of learning at Duke, but be creative and radical enough to think outside the confines of what has already been done. I have concerns that, because this is my hope, a more radical approach may be rejected by administrative leaders. Although we have met with a lot of these leaders and they seem to be open to exploring new ideas, especially in these unprecedented times, actually putting our research to use seems like an obstacle.
I think the design models that promote quick, creative thought are most exciting to me because they force me to stop overthinking and overanalyzing (which I do a lot) and to just let my ideas flow. I think I’ve been so conditioned to making sure that I articulate all of my ideas perfectly that I limit myself in a lot of ways. In connection with me, the concepts related to open source values create a safe space for open collaboration and that space helps me to be more transparent with my ideas.
Encompassing the discussions the group has already had and my own perspective, reimagining learning for me is abolishing the idea that success is linked to a numbered and standardized system. Giving opportunity to students to create their own learning and praising compassion, problem-solving skills, empathy, and critical thinking is what I believe true learning should represent. I hope to always bring a fresh perspective to the group that is rooted in my intuitive and empathetic nature, which I think are key skills outside of “hard skills” that work to solve real-world problems.
