How can design advance learning and education?

Our world is changing so fast, we all feel it. To prepare today’s learners for tomorrow’s world, our systems need to evolve. Innovation in education requires the courage and creativity to take leaps at some of the most entrenched 'truths' we hold — the very premise of how our institutions are designed. The curriculum, spaces, tools, roles, infrastructure all offer an immense opportunity for design to make a difference.

Heather EmersonManaging Director, IDEO San Francisco

With millions of people learning English online in China, it's an exciting time to rethink the design of learning centers across the country. In collaboration with Wall Street English, we were able to make a strong connection between the benefits of learning in a physical space while harnessing the technology they use everyday out in the world.

Greg PerezDesign Director, IDEO New York

To create a truly engaging digital experience that would support students who are the first in their families to go to college, we needed to understand what they care about. We tapped into social and gaming experiences to help us balance knowledge and approachability. The result is a digital leg up to radically improve graduation rates for thousands of students.

Isabela Sa GlaisterPortfolio Director, IDEO San Francisco

There is no lack of empathy in education – but many education systems have legacy issues that make it hard to respond to students', teachers', or parents' needs. The Design Thinking Toolkit for Educators empowers teachers to make the changes they need in their own classrooms.

Annette DiefenthalerPortfolio Director, IDEO San Francisco