COSERE | 93 Non-formal methodologies for problem solving • The importance of non-formal methodologies for problem solving Non-formal approaches to problem-solving are essential for promoting inventiveness, creativity, and flexibility in the face of difficulties. These strategies, which frequently deviate from conventional formal methodologies, have special benefits in various contexts. The Council of Europe defines non-formal education (NFE) methodologies as “planned structured programmes and processes of personal and social education for individuals designed to improve a range of skills and competences, outside the formal educational curriculum”. In addition, these methodologies are varied, participatory, and learner-centred; they promote learning from one another and combine group and solitary activities (ibid.). Because NFE is holistic, it engages the bodies, brains, and emotions of people who take part in an activity that is based on NFE methodologies. Non-formal education is highly relevant in the context of problem-solving. • Problem-solving in practice: Design thinking as a non-formal methodology for problem-solving. The needs of today’s learners are evolving as rapidly as the technologies that compete for their attention. At the same time, our organisations and systems are stretched to their limits to keep up with the changing demands of the times. There are myriads of problems in education today… but each of these concerns can be seen as an opportunity for you to design new, improved solutions for your classrooms, schools, and communities. Design thinking is a human-centred design technique founded on the principles of deep empathy and the thorough comprehension of people’s needs and motivations. The main goal of Design thinking is to find and comprehend real needs, problems, and boundaries existing in a given community and propose innovative solutions for tackling the aforementioned. In the case of design thinking applied to the school community, people include students, teachers and other staff members, parents, and administrators who make up the community’s everyday world. Design thinking is a collaborative process. Indeed, putting several bright minds to solve problems together is always more fruitful than doing it unilaterally. Confronting views and perspectives of different stakeholders greatly benefits the thinking process, and creativity is mutually stimulated. It is furthermore optimistic as it is based on the premise that everyone can be an actor of change, regardless of the problem, the timing, or budget, designing can be enjoyable regardless of the constraints. Given that Design thinking is experimental,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzYwNDE=