IMPACT LAB · DESIGN THINKING FOR CHANGEMAKERS
Module 2: Design Thinking Elements
Sixteen simple tools — the actual things you do inside each phase to make design thinking work.
20-slide instructional deck
10-question knowledge check
Video walkthrough
Hands-on group exercise
Instructional Deck
Slide Deck for This Module
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Prefer the offline version? The full 20-slide deck is also available as module2_elements.pptx.
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Design Thinking: Empathize
Hands-On Practice
Small Group Exercise
Build a Live Empathy Map
Your group will practice one of the most useful Empathy-phase tools — the empathy map — using a real or realistic person you choose together.
Materials
- A large sheet of paper or whiteboard split into 4 boxes (Says / Thinks / Does / Feels)
- Sticky notes
- Markers
Steps
- Choose a person (5 min): Agree on one specific real or realistic person to design for (a new student, a first-time customer, a tired parent).
- Gather ideas (10 min): If you can, briefly ask a real person who fits that description; if not, use what your group already knows and has noticed.
- Map it (10 min): Fill in all four boxes — Says, Thinks, Does, Feels — using sticky notes.
- Find the insight (5–10 min): Circle one thing that doesn't quite match up across boxes, and write one sentence about what you learned.
Debrief Prompt
What did the empathy map show you that your group wouldn't have guessed without doing this activity?
Knowledge Check
10-Question Quiz
Please enter your school, your name, and your teacher's name before submitting.
Answer all 10 questions, then submit for your score.
Question 1 of 10
Which element uses a Says / Thinks / Does / Feels chart?
Empathy mapping organizes what you learn about someone into what they say, think, do, and feel.
Question 2 of 10
Which phase does “Brainstorming Sessions” belong to?
Brainstorming Sessions is an Ideate-phase tool for coming up with lots of ideas.
Question 3 of 10
Which element is about putting the problem into clear words?
Problem Framing means putting the problem into words everyone can understand.
Question 4 of 10
“Learning background information before you start” describes which element?
Content Knowledge/Direct Instruction means learning the basics before you start empathizing.
Question 5 of 10
Which element means building a rough, quick version of your idea?
Prototyping means building a low-cost, quick version of an idea so you can test it.
Question 6 of 10
Which element helps you check what already exists before building something new?
Researching helps you see what already exists so you don't waste time solving a problem someone already solved.
Question 7 of 10
How many total elements are in the toolkit across all three phases?
There are 16 elements total: 5 in Empathy, 6 in Ideate, and 5 in Pitch.
Question 8 of 10
Which phase includes “Impact Assessment” and “Reflection & Iteration”?
Impact Assessment and Reflection & Iteration are both Pitch-phase elements.
Question 9 of 10
Which element is about learning to present your idea to an audience?
Pitching Ideas is about learning to present your solution clearly to an audience.
Question 10 of 10
True or False: Observation means watching people in their everyday, real setting.
True — Observation means watching people in real life, not just asking them questions.