Completely online

“The idea to develop an online Pressure Cooker was already there, because we want to use the working method more widely and internationally in the future, but due to corona we have started working on this more quickly,” says project leader Rosanne van Wieringen. Together with educational technologist Hans de Zwart, she chose online tools to make this translation and worked out a format. "In theory, the Pressure Cooker can now take place live in the classroom, completely online or hybrid."

Design Thinking

The Design Thinking Pressure Cooker is a method in which students work on a real life issue under time pressure according to the five steps of the Design Thinking method. The steps ultimately lead the students to a solution in the form of a product, a service or advice.

Work asynchronously

Where the Pressure Cooker was originally known for its intensive nature in which students met for three whole days, the module is now based on a number of shorter digital meetings. “You cannot let students sit behind a screen for 8 hours,” says Rosanne, “but thanks to the tools, students can go through the steps of the Design Thinking process asynchronously. For example, they can interview stakeholders and collect information according to their own schedule. ” Another advantage of the asynchronous approach is that it is easier to deploy the Pressure Cookers interfaculty or internationally: "Students can plan the process through the normal schedule."

Creative process

A second major intervention is the interpretation of the creative process. Rosanne: ,, We used to work a lot with pen and paper, by drawing, sliding and using the physical space. All of this is now done online and that limits freedom, creativity and interaction. The chosen tools Mural and Stormz must overcome this and stimulate collaboration in a creative way and, very importantly, make it visual. ”

The kickoff

Max van der Linden, coordinator of the Psychology Honours Programme has been integrating the Pressure Cooker into his programme since 2016, and the Design Thinking variant since last year: ,, I want students in the Breaking Borders 2 course not only to break the boundaries of disciplines, but that by the end of their bachelor's degree they also break the boundary with society. The Pressure Cooker fulfills that task. ” Now he applies the form of education online for the first time, for a large group of 59 students. “I think it's great that Rosanne has made sure that the Design Thinking Pressure Cooker can continue online,” says Max. “I am going to do it as a big experiment and I am confident that the honors students will start with dedication. I wonder how they think about it and how the different teams will work together. ”

The Pressure Cookers are part of the following programmes:

• Bachelor Psychology (FMG)
• Bachelor Communication Science (FMG)
• Master Communication Science (FMG)
• Minor Entrepreneurship (FEB)
• Master Political Science (FMG)
• Master Brain and Cognitive Sciences (FNWI / IIS)

Teachers who are curious about the possibilities of the Design Thinking Pressure Cooker can contact Rosanne van Wieringen.