Deliverable
Frame the User Problem
Effective Communication
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Collaboration
Self Directed Learning
Reflection
Community Partners
Critique and Revision
Submission Required
You will connect with a Southwestern College partner to conduct a brief interview or observation that reveals a real user need tied to your animation project. Gather insights to craft an empathetic POV statement, two How Might We (HMW) questions, and two user personas. Build a simple problem tree or systems map that links root causes to user needs and your essential question. Present these empathy artifacts to your user contact to gather feedback and incorporate at least three concrete changes. Plan a concrete iteration path so your final problem framing directly guides your script development. Deliver a packaged set including the POV, HMWs, personas, and the problem map.
Plan day
Day 6
Duration
75 min
Grouping
Small Group
Steps
9 steps
Lesson plan
9 steps · 75 min| # | What teachers do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Introduce the activity and its objectives. (15 min) |
| 2 | Brainstorm potential user needs related to the animation story. (30 min) |
| 3 | Conduct interviews or observations with Southwestern College contacts. (60 min) |
| 4 | Work in small groups to synthesize research insights and develop user personas. (45 min) |
| 5 | Create empathetic POV statements and How Might We questions. (45 min) |
| 6 | Draft a problem tree or systems map linking root causes to user needs. (30 min) |
| 7 | Present your empathy artifacts to peers for feedback. (30 min) |
| 8 | Revise your problem framing artifacts incorporating feedback received. (30 min) |
| 9 | Reflect on the process and document your iterations for future reference. (15 min) |
Preparation (3 items)
- Coordinate with Southwestern College partners to arrange interview or observation times.
- Prepare materials for creating user personas, such as templates or examples.
- Gather resources on how to construct empathy artifacts and problem trees/systems maps.
Student-facing instructions
Your task is to engage with Southwestern College partners to understand real user needs relevant to your animation project. You'll conduct interviews or observations and then, in groups, use these insights to create user personas, empathetic POV statements, and How Might We questions. Next, you'll draft a problem tree or systems map. Collaborate with peers to revise your problem framing artifacts based on feedback and reflect on the process.