The EDesign Lab is a collaboration between educators, technologists, and designers to co-imagine and prototype real examples of what interactive learning experiences can look like that integrate emerging digital contexts and extend learning outside of the classroom.

We’re focused on iteratively prototyping and quickly trying out in the field re-imagined learning experiences in the context of:

• Interactive data visualizations and content mashups
• Mobile applications, geo-data, place-based interactions
• Digital games and simulations
• Emerging interfaces and modalities: embodied, touch, sensors
• Collaborative production, problem-solving, and sharing
• Networks and intelligent resourcing

We are also testing some hunches.

Hunch #1:  Cross-pollinating teachers with deep expertise in student-centered learning needs and technologists with deep expertise about digital interactions to concept together from the beginning will produce prototypes that look different from a technologist or teacher tinkering on their own.

Hunch #2:  The amount of user-centered design that goes into the creation of a new consumer product should be the same as the amount of learner-centered design that goes into creating new education.

Hunch #3:   Maintaining a focus on the student learning experience and learning needs can produce more compelling learning technologies.  There’s a tendency to design for administrators first rather than the learner first.  And sometimes people don’t know what to do with shiny boxes (whiteboards, laptops, etc).

Hunch #4:   Innovation comes at the intersection of disciplines, but methods are needed to grow that kind of shared culture and community.

Hunch #5:   Education must aim at the emerging, not just the current.

Catalyst:

Supported by the Ford Foundation, The EDesign Lab is an EDesign initiative by New Visions for Public Schools.

Supporting Partner:
EDesign Lab is currently habitating with Open Plans and was incubated at Eyebeam Art + Technology Center.

Interested in being involved as a partner? Contact Us.

Teachers, are you interested in testing some our prototypes in your classroom? Contact Us.