Sarah Stein Greenberg: Executive Director, Stanford d.school
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The content segments provide insights into the work and philosophy of Stanford's Institute of Design (d.school) and its executive director, Sarah Stein Greenberg. The d.school is an unconventional institute that brings together students from different schools to work on creative projects as interdisciplinary teams. Sarah emphasizes the importance of finding and framing problems, challenging assumptions, and involving end users in the design process.
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges for design education, particularly in terms of collaborating remotely and adapting to virtual tools. Sarah highlights the need to teach students to be resourceful in their own environments and find creative ways to prototype and build models. She also discusses the future of curriculum and delivery in higher education, expressing optimism about the capacity for change that the pandemic has demonstrated.
Sarah believes that campus life will not be entirely digital in the future. While in-person interactions are important, she envisions a future where more instruction and office hours happen online, while on-campus experiences focus on group collaboration, labs, and maker spaces. She introduces the concept of an open-loop university, supporting lifelong learning and the development of new skills.
Sarah also explores the possibilities and implications of having multiple political parties in the United States, using a design thinking approach to challenge assumptions and create positive change. She discusses the importance of understanding behind-the-scenes conversations and fostering bipartisan behavior among members of Congress.
Lastly, Sarah emphasizes the responsibility of designers in the face of evolving technologies like artificial intelligence. She highlights the need to consider the unintended consequences and societal implications of designs that incorporate AI, and encourages individuals to actively engage in making things and develop multidisciplinary perspectives and collaboration skills.
The content segments provide insights into the work and philosophy of Stanford's Institute of Design