What is a Design Lab?
We’ve all been there, we’ve participated in a traditional professional development session with high expectations in the middle of our crazy schedule. We put our packed to-do lists on pause so we can strengthen our professional skills. But at the end of the session, we are left with big ideas but no idea on where to start. No clear understanding of how, who, when, or what to do next.
The good news is that is NOT what you get when attending an EnvisionEdPlus Design Lab! Design Labs are EnvisionEdPlus’ unique approach to purposeful, high impact and engaging professional development.Whether you are attending a Design Lab in-person or live virtual, you can always expect:
- A full day of active and engaging professional learning that uses best practices in adult learning. You won’t be bored or underwhelmed, Design Labs are not boring webinars.
- Extensive collaboration time – so do not attend alone. Design Labs are collaborative, your organization should send at least 2 participants who will work as a team throughout the day. ,
- To learn new information throughout the day and have time to digest and process what you have learned.
- To meet experts and discover new resources that will help your team use what you have learned in your own practice – right away!
Whether virtual or in-person, EnvisionEdPlus and our partners are ready to assist you with any questions or concerns that may arise (during the session or after).
From beginning to end, your team will be actively engaged and work on your own plans to implement what you learned right away. We provide a Google folder with all the materials and note taking tools to help you remember important details, inspirations and questions.
EnvisionedPlus Design Lab facilitators are experts in the field. We are ready to support your team as you innovate and design solutions to just about any challenge you may be facing. Instead of putting your work on pause during a professional development session, accelerate your work during a Design Lab session.
Here is what some past participants have said about Design Labs.
“The handouts were very user friendly and it was nice to have the planning time to work on completing the handouts.”
“It was so helpful getting to work with my team after each discussion”
“I loved getting to hear from all of the other districts and their thoughts on their plans of action.”
So, what’s new with us?
EnvisionEdPlus, Gap Logic, the Ohio Afterschool Network, and the Ohio Department of Education are currently working with the Summer Learning and Afterschool opportunities Grantees and the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Grantees to provide professional development and support as a part of their grants. We have a full slate of Design Labs to support grantees with grant accountability, creating safe learning environments, and designing high-quality programs for your students. We are ready to assist grantees through every step of the process!
Questions? Give Nichelle Harris, project manager, a shout!
