This philosophy is at the heart of my approach to education. I design learning the way humans actually grow: through inquiry, iteration, and authentic, real-world challenges. LPB shows up in design thinking cycles, project-based learning, STEM problem solving, and the development of creative and AI-ready mindsets. It reminds me—and my students—that learning is messy, dynamic, and human, and that the goal isn’t a perfect product but an empowered learner who is willing to experiment, reflect, and keep moving forward.
BOOK: Design thinking in the classroom
Equipping students with IDEO-inspired design thinking empowers them to approach real-world challenges with empathy, creativity, and confidence—and my book, Design Thinking in the Classroom, gives educators the practical tools, strategies, and mindset shifts to make this equipping possible. By nurturing curiosity, collaboration, and iterative experimentation within a culture that values diverse ideas and learning from failure, schools create the conditions where innovation becomes a natural, everyday practice.
"Foundational resource as I developed my own design thinking course for students. David Lee’s clear frameworks, practical tools, and classroom examples made it easy to translate big ideas into day-to-day learning experiences for students."
Yosef Tewolde, Tech & Innovation Instructional & Curriculum Leader
5 STAR Book REviews
Xan. Belzley: The most innovative classroom methodology book I've read
This book totally changed how I think about educational possibilities. I hadn't thought about the possibility to unite empathy and creativity in this way. Essentially, the book reimagines how a classroom can learn about innovation and use kinesthetic learning tools. Every activity involves equal parts listening, to practice empathy, and design-- coming up with new tools to improve each other's lives. The book is also designed to improve students' sense of self-confidence. I think the case studies were possibly the best part of this book. They really help the reader understand how to implement the ideas in the book.