Socratic Conversation with Ron Gross

Thursday, September 19th, 4:00 – 5:15 pm

Gottesman Library, Teachers College, Columbia University 525 West 120th St. Room 104b Russell Hall NOTE: Not our usual meeting space – different floor in the same building. (bet. Broadway and Amsterdam Ave. North side of 120th Street.) (#1 train to 116th St.) Please bring a photo ID required for entry to the building.

RSVP at http://www.meetup.com/Conversations-New-York/events/124333282/

There will be a display of relevant books. Light refreshments will be available. Coffee and other beverages available downstairs as you enter the building.

Design Thinking has produced some of the most successful innovations in our lives and organizations, in realms ranging from technology to social change. In this Conversation we will explore what DT can mean for each of us, personally and professionally. You are already a Designer in your life and work – if you use your creativity, resourcefulness, and initiative to make changes in yourself and your environment. But you can become an even better Designer by enlarging your repertoire of techniques and strategies. We’ll get acquainted with the DT Toolkit for being creative-with-a-purpose, ranging from brain-storming, mind-mapping, and creative problem-solving, to the 5 whys, the systems approach, and failing fast through proto-typing. DT harnesses both creativity and rationality – it inspires, but crunches! It fosters empathy for people — but also encourages awareness of the systemic context. It strives to meld theory and practice. It is knowledge-based — but solution-focused, rather than purely academic. It has a "bias towards action". Indeed, we practice DT each time we gather for one of these Conversations, which are collaborative, free-flowing, egalitarian, culturally diverse, inter-disciplinary, critical, exploratory, and open-ended. Please join us to experience Design Thinking yourself if you haven’t already (or share your experiences with some of the strategies), and discuss how this approach can add to your strength.

To benefit from and contribute to this session, please spend 15 minutes watching the short (2-minute) videos at www.designthinkingforeducators.com and, if you like, download the FREE (but long) Handbook

Next session: Thursday, 10/24, Topic, TBA For more information about the Socratic Conversations: www.SocratesWay.com/join.html