How Design Thinking Methods Moved an Institution Forward to Achieve Real General Education Reform

Client Story: UTC

Mobilizing Change

Challenge

After unsuccessful attempts to reform an overly complex and dated general education approach, UTC turned to design thinking as a creative pathway to mobilize change. Looking to understand general education through a human/student-centered perspective rather than an operational lens, UTC endeavored to tackle the challenge: How might we refresh general education curriculum to fully realize learning outcomes and enhance student engagement and success? 

Solution

UTC engaged Bridge Innovate® to launch a full-scale design and organizational transformation initiative. Efforts began with deep data analysis to inform the process, build empathy, and spark inspiration, followed by solution prototype design and testing phases. The process concluded with a final set of recommendations to initiative sponsors on learnings and next steps. Throughout the journey, faculty members and leaders from a cross-section of UTC departments were involved and invested in refreshing the approach to general education.

Results

Blending the principles of design thinking with a deeper understanding of organizational change, the overall experience provided UTC with a good foundation on which to build a sustainable system for ongoing transformation, increase faculty buy-in, and enhance student engagement. The transformation process ultimately moved UTC forward in achieving real general education curriculum reform and resulted in actionable decisions, including a Value Rubrics for more effective assessment, to guide ongoing work.