Routledge - Book Chapter: Transformative Teaching

Transformative Teaching: New Roles of Experiential Design Educators in the Post-Covid Era

Juanjuan “June” He

In this chapter, a paradigm shift in the role of an experiential design educator is unveiled for the post-pandemic landscape, introducing the design facilitator, design acupuncturist and design therapist. Guided by theoretical frameworks such as Empathic Design, Community-Based Participatory Design, and Equity-Centered Design, the design educator embarked on a groundbreaking pedagogical innovation journey in the Spring term of 2022 within the Aging & Design course. Throughout the duration of the course, the educator skillfully employed a diverse array of activities to realize transformative learning outcomes for college students. The chapter culminates in a comprehensive exploration of the outcomes stemming from the implementation of the new curriculum and the resulting student learning experiences. Additionally, the discussion extends to proposed enhancements for future iterations, emphasizing an ongoing commitment to refining and advancing the educational approach in the dynamic post-pandemic educational landscape.