Challenge

During this pandemic, and the consequential lockdown has resulted in kids doing online schooling. It  was fun in start, but soon we realized that this is not the best way for kids to study, not at least now.   There are pros and cons, but without the proper transition to the online education as norm, both kids  and parents and teachers did not know how to cope with it. One of the observations that I, along with  my 2 friends, made was drop in grades of the children. There was a lack of concentration and not  following the routines of sleep, food and study.

We came together to try to find a solution of this problem. And we were convinced we can get some  innovative idea that can help all students and their parents / teachers alike.

Selection

Around the same time, I have been introduced to this course. Talking about the way innovation works,  this course did provide me a framework on how to come up with innovative solutions to the problems.   Particularly important was the point of WHAT-IS. Before we start working on the solution, we must  understand, where are we? We must understand the ground reality, not only from my or my friend’s  perspective but from the bigger audience.

Mind mapping as described in week 3 tutorial was particularly helpful.  This tool helps people to provide  their MINDFUL insight into the problems they are facing. It will help me to focus on the right set of  issues rather than, trying to solve an issue that I perceive is important.

Application

Me and my friends came together and formed a team to apply this technique to understand WHAT-IS.  The decided the following approach to be followed:

1. We wanted to approach teachers, students, and parents in the study.   2. We prepared an open-ended questionnaire on google forms where the subject can describe the

problems they are facing.

3. It was decided that we will do 15 min discussions with at least 5 persons we know. This will be a

mix audience of parents and teachers.

4. Once the discussions are over and we have received our responses, each of us will try to find

some common patterns or understanding coming from discussions. We decided to note it down  on the paper.

5. Next step was for all of us to meet and try to find common patterns from the data we have

collected. We wanted this meeting to be un-biased with our own thoughts and purely base on  the data we have received from our discussions and question responses.

Once we are clear on the WHAT-IS situation of the reality we are in, we shall start looking for ideas to fix  the common denominator.

Insight and Approach

As described in the lecture, the outcome was eyeopener. When we started, we were trying to look at  the problem from my perspective and not getting a whole 360 view. When we received inputs from the  different teachers and parents, we did receive varied concerns with very clear patterns coming out as  common issues. Some of them are listed below:

1. Network connectivity is inconsistent  2. Eating habits have changed   3. No exercise routine for teachers and parents   4. Working time has increased   5. Kids need orientation   6. Parents need to assist kids while doing their own work from home   7. Kids homework is not checked properly   8. Sleeping is irregular   9. Not playing for kids make them cranky

These have been very common understanding of the challenges faced by the parents and teachers alike  and kids as well.

If I look back from where I started as the challenge, my initial thought was the “lack of concentration  and not following the routines of sleep, food and study” where as once we had the mind mapping  exercise conducted we are seeing a very bigger picture of the challenges that are being faced. Many of  these are impacting the kids as well.

Now we are aware that in order to bring back the kids grades as well as making sure they are studying  effectively and effectively, there are list of problems that we need to address.


Challenge During this pandemic , and the consequential lockdown has resulted in kids doing online schooling . It was fun in start , but soon we realized that this is not the best way for kids to study , not at least now . There are pros and cons , but without the proper transition to the online education as norm , both kids and parents and teachers did not know how to cope with it . One of the observations that I , along with my 2 friends , made was drop in grades of the children . There was a lack of concentration and not following the routines of sleep , food and study . We came together to try to find a solution of this problem . And we were convinced we can get some innovative idea that can help all students and their parents / teachers alike . Selection Around the same time , I have been introduced to this course . Talking about the way innovation works , this course did provide me a framework on how to come up with innovative solutions to the problems . Particularly important was the point of WHAT - IS . Before we start working on the solution , we must understand , where are we ? We must understand the ground reality , not only from my or my friend ’s perspective but from the bigger audience . Mind mapping as described in week 3 tutorial was particularly helpful . This tool helps people to provide their MINDFUL insight into the problems they are facing . It will help me to focus on the right set of issues rather than , trying to solve an issue that I perceive is important . Application Me and my friends came together and formed a team to apply this technique to understand WHAT - IS . The decided the following approach to be followed : 1 . We wanted to approach teachers , students , and parents in the study . 2 . We prepared an open - ended questionnaire on google forms where the subject can describe the problems they are facing . 3 . It was decided that we will do 15 min discussions with at least 5 persons we know . This will be a mix audience of parents and teachers . 4 . Once the discussions are over and we have received our responses , each of us will try to find some common patterns or understanding coming from discussions . We decided to note it down on the paper . 5 . Next step was for all of us to meet and try to find common patterns from the data we have collected . We wanted this meeting to be un - biased with our own thoughts and purely base on the data we have received from our discussions and question responses . Once we are clear on the WHAT - IS situation of the reality we are in , we shall start looking for ideas to fix the common denominator . Insight and Approach As described in the lecture , the outcome was eyeopener . When we started , we were trying to look at the problem from my perspective and not getting a whole 360 view . When we received inputs from the different teachers and parents , we did receive varied concerns with very clear patterns coming out as common issues . Some of them are listed below : 1 . Network connectivity is inconsistent 2 . Eating habits have changed 3 . No exercise routine for teachers and parents 4 . Working time has increased 5 . Kids need orientation 6 . Parents need to assist kids while doing their own work from home 7 . Kids homework is not checked properly 8 . Sleeping is irregular 9 . Not playing for kids make them cranky These have been very common understanding of the challenges faced by the parents and teachers alike and kids as well . If I look back from where I started as the challenge , my initial thought was the “ lack of concentration and not following the routines of sleep , food and study ” where as once we had the mind mapping exercise conducted we are seeing a very bigger picture of the challenges that are being faced . Many of these are impacting the kids as well . Now we are aware that in order to bring back the kids grades as well as making sure they are studying effectively and effectively , there are list of problems that we need to address .