Lessons From Using Design Thinking to Develop the 2021 AACP Teachers' Seminar.

Area of Science:

• Educational Development
• Program Planning
• User-Centered Design

Background:

• The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Teachers' Seminar aims to provide valuable educator development experiences.
• Traditional planning methods may not always yield optimal user engagement.
• A structured, user-centered approach is crucial for effective seminar design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and evaluate the application of a design thinking framework in developing the 2021 AACP Teachers' Seminar.
• To assess the impact of design thinking on the seminar planning process and participant outcomes.
• To identify best practices for using design thinking in professional development program creation.

Main Methods:

• The design thinking framework (inspiration, ideation, implementation) structured the seminar development from July 2020 to July 2021.
• Committee members used persona, brainstorming, and prototyping activities for user-centered design.
• Focus groups and electronic surveys evaluated the perceived impact of design thinking on planning and outcomes.

Main Results:

• A majority of participants found design thinking useful for seminar support, reporting positive experiences.
• Significant increases in self-reported creative self-efficacy were observed.
• Participants identified strengths and areas for improvement in the seminar and planning process.

Conclusions:

• Design thinking offers a valuable framework for planning and implementing engaging educator development experiences.
• The approach fosters user-centered design, leading to more meaningful and valuable programs.
• Lessons learned provide insights for professional organizations and program developers seeking to create user-centered experiences.