design thinking as a tool to address inequities at a higher education institution

122 Pages·2017·0.92 MB·English

by  Graduate Studies

ABSTRACT
DESIGN THINKING AS A TOOL TO ADDRESS INEQUITIES
AT A HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION
This proposed intrinsic case study explored how a diversity committee
addressing issues of equity at Southern California State University (SCSU) used
design-thinking elements as a tool. The study conducted interviews of program
members working around equity, observed the campus Design Thinking Lab in
action, and performed a document analysis on several artifacts. Design thinking is
an analytic creative process that provides opportunities to create prototype models
gather feedback and redesign (Razzouk & Shute, 2012). The thesis will use
segmentation to analyze observation field notes and interview results. The study
used a thematic analysis of documents to explore the purpose and outcomes of the
process, purpose, and outcomes of the Design Thinking Lab’s process. The results
focused on how empathy, disagreement, and external feedback are key parts of the
design thinking process that can be applied to solutions for equity.
Keywords: design-thinking, prototyping, equity, racial
William Hardaway
May 2018

DESIGN THINKING AS A TOOL TO ADDRESS INEQUITIES
AT A HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION

by
William Hardaway

A thesis
submitted in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Arts in Education
in the Kremen School of Education and Human Development
California State University, Fresno
May 2018
APPROVED
For the Department of Educational Leadership:

We, the undersigned, certify that the thesis of the following student
meets the required standards of scholarship, format, and style of the
university and the student's graduate degree program for the
awarding of the master's degree.

William Hardaway
Thesis Author

Ignacio Hernandez (Chair) Educational Leadership

Susana Hernandez Educational Leadership

Andres Castro Samayoa Lynch School of Education
Boston College

For the University Graduate Committee:

Dean, Division of Graduate Studies
AUTHORIZATION FOR REPRODUCTION
OF MASTER’S THESIS

X I grant permission for the reproduction of this thesis in part or in
its entirety without further authorization from me, on the
condition that the person or agency requesting reproduction
absorbs the cost and provides proper acknowledgment of
authorship.

Permission to reproduce this thesis in part or in its entirety must
be obtained from me.

Signature of thesis author:
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to thank so many people who contributed to this work. Firstly I
would like to thank my father Turner Hardaway who gave me every value I
possess and influences how I navigate the world. I would like to thank my mother
Ella who calls me at least three times a week even in adulthood. I would like to
thank my Uncle D and Cousin Kenny for teaching me how to obsess and craft
over something through the love of horses. I would like to thank my Uncle Brother
who guided me all my life and who provided a place for me to stay while visiting
my research site. I would like to thank my brother Rodney and my cousins for
influencing my culture and flavor as a young Black man. I would like to thank my
sisters Tracy and Pam for teaching me how to treat women and always welcoming
me with hugs. I would like to thank Tracy for starting me on my college journey in
Visalia, CA. I would like to thank my niece Yvonne and cousins Winston, Brent,
and Antwon who really taught me how to analyze rap music and therefore social
commentary. I love all of you.
My life and legacy would not be possible without my ancestors. My great
grandfather Green Hardaway started a small school long ago for Black children
who lived in Waelder, “The Country,” and Mount Eden because there was no
school for Black students in town.
I love my hometown of Waelder, Texas and I will return there to make a
difference. Thank you to all the hustlers, players, and old heads under the tree who
always told me I was smart and encouraged me to get out and do something.
Thank you to my great friends in California who welcomed me with open
arms. There are so many but thank you to Bryan (RIP), Ricky, Franky, Eric,
v v
Karay, Nancy, Boss, TB, Dante, Chris. To everyone in the Learning Center at
Fresno State who supported me.
Thank you to my HEAL cohort and our professors. Dr. Ignacio Hernandez,
Dr. Susana Hernandez, Dr. Emily Langdon, and Dr. Juan Carlos Gonzalez. Thank
you to my Thesis committee; Dr. Ignacio Hernandez, Dr. Susana Hernandez, and
Dr. Andres Castro Samayoa. You all have provided a learning environment that
peaked my curiosity and blended two worlds I love; design and education.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................ viii
LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................. ix
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................ 1
History of Design Thinking .............................................................................. 2
Engagement ....................................................................................................... 5
Statement of the Research Problem .................................................................. 7
Purpose ............................................................................................................ 14
Research Question ........................................................................................... 14
CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ................................................ 15
Design Thinking .............................................................................................. 15
Design Thinking Elements .............................................................................. 16
Limitations of Design Thinking ...................................................................... 26
Equity .............................................................................................................. 28
Change ............................................................................................................. 37
CHAPTER 3: METHOD ........................................................................................ 39
Research Participants ...................................................................................... 39
Researcher ....................................................................................................... 40
Instruments ...................................................................................................... 41
Methods ........................................................................................................... 44
Procedures ....................................................................................................... 44
Data Analysis .................................................................................................. 45
Validity ............................................................................................................ 46
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS ....................................................................................... 48
vii vii
Page
Participants ...................................................................................................... 48
Observation ..................................................................................................... 48
Interviews ........................................................................................................ 59
Document Analysis ......................................................................................... 61
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION ............................................................................... 68
Discussion ....................................................................................................... 68
Recommendations ........................................................................................... 75
Conclusion ....................................................................................................... 80
REFERENCES ....................................................................................................... 82
APPENDICES ........................................................................................................ 91
APPENDIX A: OBSERVATION FORM & A-PRIORI CODES ......................... 92
APPENDIX B: INTERVIEW PROTOCOL .......................................................... 99
APPENDIX C: INDUCTIVE CODES ................................................................. 110
LIST OF TABLES
Page
Table 1 Design Thinking Lab List of Observed Materials .................................... 50
Table 2 Empathy Activities Met During Observations .......................................... 53
Table 3 Define Activities Met During Observations ............................................. 55
Table 4 Ideate Activities Met During Observations .............................................. 56
Table 5 Prototyping and Testing Activities Met During Observations ................. 58
Table 6 Implement Activities Met During Observations ....................................... 59