Applied Learning Programme (ALP)

Learning by Design – Authentic Problem-solving through Design Thinking

Introduction

Greendale Primary School has developed our unique Applied Learning Programme (ALP), ‘Learning by Design’, to inspire students to use their knowledge and skills with creativity and innovation. This programme aims to cultivate adaptive and inventive thinkers who show empathy and care by engaging in authentic problem-solving through Design Thinking.

Through the ALP and at appropriate stages of their cognitive development, our students will:

Learn to express their ideas visually in innovative ways to highlight their thoughts;
Showcase their learning and understanding in research, user empathy, design development, and prototyping; and
Demonstrate application of Design Thinking processes.

Approach

The school adopts a two-tiered approach for our ALP. At Tier 1, we provide a resource-rich learning environment to develop student Design Thinking (DT) competencies for all our students through customised level programmes as shown below:

Level	Brief Description
P1	DT-enabled Visual Arts Programme during PAL (Modular) Lessons
P2	DT-enhanced Drama Programme during PAL (Modular) Lessons
P3	Level-based Ad Astra Carnival Design Thinking Challenge: Character Design (during Art Lessons)
P4	Level-based Design Thinking Challenge: Happiness by Design
P5	Level-based Design Thinking Challenge: Eco Stewardship
P6	Level-based Design Thinking Challenge: Games Carnival

Students learning collaboratively.

Students learning to use 3D pen to create their design ideas.

Students creating their character for Ad Astra Carnival Design Thinking Challenge.

Students presenting their ideas to their peers during the Design Thinking Challenge.

To nurture a culture of inventive thinking as a whole-school approach, Maker Monday sessions are held every term during recess. At the Maker Monday sessions, our Design Ambassadors help to guide the students to explore possibilities and generate ideas according to the given themes. The students have fun expressing their ideas using Lego and recycled materials in response to the challenge and share their ideas with their friends and teachers.

Students having fun at the Maker Monday sessions.

As part of talent development, the school identifies and develops selected Primary 4 students as Design Ambassadors (DA) at Tier 2 of our ALP. Besides growing their leadership skills to guide and support their peers during Maker Monday sessions, our DAs represent the school at national Design Thinking competitions where they will learn to generate, evaluate, refine and present their ideas collaboratively according to the given issues or challenges.

Design Ambassadors at the ‘Design For Change’ pitching session.

Design Ambassadors at the ‘Bedok Green Primary School Design Conference’.