DT 1: Design Thinking Foundations & AI

Course Available
0.5 Units
Credit Validation

Course Description

Credit Validation for Ed3 Participants Only

This course builds a practical foundation in Design Thinking for educators, with artificial intelligence (AI) serving as a thought partner throughout every stage. Educators explore the mindsets behind Design Thinking and the six-stage Ed3 design cycle, then apply the full cycle in a focused design sprint centered on a real challenge from their own classroom or school.

Across the modules, educators create an empathy map, examine the context surrounding their challenge, develop a learner-centered problem statement, generate and prototype ideas, engage in a simulated testing conversation, and produce either a pilot-ready resource or a shareable summary of their design journey. AI supports perspective-taking, research, ideation, and feedback throughout the process, while educator expertise and firsthand knowledge of learners remain at the center.

By the end of the course, participants will have practiced the complete Design Thinking cycle and created a concrete resource they can implement in their educational setting.

Course Topics

  • Design Thinking Foundations
  • Empathize
  • Discover
  • Define
  • Ideate and Prototype
  • Test and Evaluate
  • Produce

Course Details

PLEASE READ ALL COURSE DETAILS

IMPORTANT: YOU MUST ENROLL WITH THE PARTNERED ORGANIZATION AND PAY ALL REQUIRED FEES BEFORE PURCHASING UNITS THROUGH Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍŶÓ.

Number of Units: 0.5 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours.

Who Should Attend: This course provides continuing education for Ed3 Participants.

Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍÅ¶Ó – Graduate-Level Extension Credit Information

The Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍÅ¶Ó partners with this program to offer graduate-level extension credit(s) in semester hours through the Credit Validation Program. To earn units, participants must register for and successfully complete coursework through the external program provider.

Credits earned through Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍŶӒs Credit Validation Program are widely accepted by many school districts and universities across the United States for purposes such as license renewal, required professional development hours, short-term skill building, salary advancement, credentialing, and potential advanced degree pathways.

These units do not apply toward a master’s or higher degree program at the Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍŶÓ; however, they may be transferable to advanced degree programs (e.g., MA, EdD, PhD) at other institutions that accept external graduate-level credits.

Participants are responsible for confirming acceptance, transcript requirements, deadlines, and applicability of units with their employing district or intended institution prior to enrollment.

Directions to Enroll for Credit 

Step 1: Register with the Partner Organization 
Complete your registration directly with the partner organization. Follow their instructions to begin the course and pay any required enrollment fees.

  • Homepage: 
  • Enroll: 

Please Note: Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍÅ¶Ó does not provide course materials, manage instruction, or assign grades. All coursework is evaluated by the program’s instructor or coordinator.

Step 2: Complete the Course 
Participate fully in the course through the partner organization and complete all required assignments, activities, and assessments. (Some courses, specifically DoDEA courses, may require participants to purchase units before the course ends; please check the enrollment window for details.)

Step 3: Register for University Credit
After confirming your registration with the partner organization and completing your program, return to Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍŶӒs website.

  • Locate the same course on our listings page
  • Click Add to Cart
  • Click Check Out
  • You will be prompted to either log into your Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍÅ¶Ó Student Account or create one, and then pay for your units

If this course displays Request Information, it means the course is either not yet open for enrollment (please check the enrollment dates) or enrollment has already closed. If enrollment has closed, you may still contact the organization directly to see if they will accept a late enrollment or if the course will be offered again in the future.

Step 4: Partner Organization Submits Grades
After you finish, the partner organization will submit your final grade to Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍŶÓ.

Step 5: Receive Your Transcript
No further action is needed. Once your grade has been processed, Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍÅ¶Ó will issue an official transcript reflecting your earned university credit. Transcripts are mailed to the address listed in your Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍÅ¶Ó student account. 

Transcript Process: Once we receive your certificate of completion, we will begin processing your transcript. Participants are responsible for ensuring that their mailing address is accurate and up to date in their Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍÅ¶Ó student account to avoid delays in transcript delivery.

Transcript Delivery Timeline:

  • U.S. addresses: 2–3 weeks
  • International addresses: 3–4 weeks

For detailed information regarding the Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍÅ¶Ó Credit Validation Program, please consult our 

Need additional university credit or CEUs? Visit the  to explore available credit options.

Course Options

Course Date Units Price
EDC-X749AA – 2026 Participants 01 Jan 202631 Dec 2026 0.5 $39

DT 1: Design Thinking Foundations & AI

01 Jan 202631 Dec 2026
0.5
$39
Credit Validation
In Person

Audience: Classroom Teachers, Special Education Teachers, Instructional Coaches, School Counselors, Behavior Specialists, Restorative Practices Coordinators, Teachers on Special Assignment, Assistant Principals, Principals, K–12 Educators, School Leaders

Refund Policy: All Credit Validation enrollments are refundable, minus a $25 processing fee, if the refund is requested within 30 days of the enrollment date. Refunds will not be issued once a grade has been assigned or after the 30-day period has passed.

Enrollment Open Through: Dec/31/2026 11:59 PM

EDC-X749AA – 2027 Participants 01 Jan 202731 Dec 2027 0.5 $39

DT 1: Design Thinking Foundations & AI

01 Jan 202731 Dec 2027
0.5
$39
Credit Validation
In Person

Audience: Classroom Teachers, Special Education Teachers, Instructional Coaches, School Counselors, Behavior Specialists, Restorative Practices Coordinators, Teachers on Special Assignment, Assistant Principals, Principals, K–12 Educators, School Leaders

Refund Policy: All Credit Validation enrollments are refundable, minus a $25 processing fee, if the refund is requested within 30 days of the enrollment date. Refunds will not be issued once a grade has been assigned or after the 30-day period has passed.

Enrollment Open Through: Jan/01/2027 12:00 AM – Dec/31/2027 11:59 PM

What You Will Learn

  • Apply the six stages of the Design Thinking cycle to a real challenge from their own classroom or school context, moving from understanding learners to producing a usable design
  • Craft a learner-centered problem statement grounded in empathy work and contextual evidence, and develop it into a tested prototype or shareable design artifact
  • Collaborate with AI as a thought partner for perspective-taking, research, ideation, and feedback simulation while keeping educator discernment and knowledge of learners at the center

Instructors

Professional development courses offered by the Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍŶÓ’s Division of Professional & Continuing Education are taught by faculty that possess a depth and breadth of academic and real-world professional experience.

Why Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍŶÓ?

The Professional and Continuing Education program nurtures key partnerships on the local, national, and international level. The goal is to better serve working professionals who seek to enhance or build their careers and help achieve their highest value and potential. Contact us today to learn more.

Informative Stats and Facts

600+

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In-depth, innovative, and relevant topics

25+

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Learning Method Information

Courses offer a convenient, yet rigorous style of learning that allows you to structure your education to suit your schedule while keeping you on pace toward achieving your educational goals.

Credit Validation

The Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍŶÓ’s Division of Professional and Continuing Education offers graduate-level extension credit for work completed in trainings, workshops, conferences, induction, credentials, and other professional development programs not offered directly by Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍŶÓ. Complete one of the above and a member of our division will help you earn credit for your hard work and dedication to continuing your education.

Key Benefits of Credit Validation Courses

Make Your Work Count

Earn credit for your previous work in trainings, workshops, and conferences through a simple process.

Advance Faster

Save money by earning credit for work you completed and get one step closer to salary advancement.

Work Towards a Degree

Many receiving institutions may accept credits towards degree programs, giving you a head start in earning a graduate degree.