What are the common challenges or pitfalls of learning design thinking online?

1 Lack of feedback

One of the key aspects of design thinking is getting feedback from users, peers, and mentors. Feedback helps you validate your assumptions, improve your ideas, and learn from your mistakes. However, when you learn design thinking online, you may not have access to regular and quality feedback sources. This can limit your learning and growth, and make you feel isolated or frustrated. To overcome this challenge, you should seek out feedback opportunities online, such as joining online communities, participating in forums, finding a mentor or coach, or enrolling in courses that offer feedback sessions.

2 Too much theory

Another challenge of learning design thinking online is that you may get overwhelmed by the amount of theory and information available. Design thinking is not just a set of tools or methods, but a mindset and a culture. It requires practice and experimentation, not just reading and watching. However, when you learn design thinking online, you may tend to focus more on the theory than the practice, and lose sight of the real problems and users you want to solve for. To overcome this challenge, you should balance your theory with practice, and apply what you learn to real-world projects or challenges. You should also set clear goals and milestones for your learning, and measure your progress and outcomes.

3 Lack of collaboration

Another challenge of learning design thinking online is that you may miss out on the benefits of collaboration. Design thinking is a team sport, and it involves working with diverse and multidisciplinary people who can bring different perspectives, skills, and insights. Collaboration can help you generate more and better ideas, challenge your assumptions, and learn from others. However, when you learn design thinking online, you may tend to work alone or with limited interaction with others. This can limit your creativity and learning, and make you feel lonely or bored. To overcome this challenge, you should seek out collaboration opportunities online, such as joining online teams, projects, or challenges, using online tools and platforms that facilitate collaboration, or networking with other learners or professionals.

4 Lack of motivation

Another challenge of learning design thinking online is that you may struggle with motivation and discipline. Design thinking is a complex and iterative process that requires curiosity, persistence, and resilience. It can also be fun and rewarding, but it can also be challenging and frustrating. However, when you learn design thinking online, you may not have the same level of support, guidance, and encouragement that you would have in a classroom or a workshop. You may also face distractions, interruptions, or competing priorities that can affect your focus and commitment. To overcome this challenge, you should find your motivation and purpose for learning design thinking, and remind yourself of the benefits and impact it can have for you and others. You should also create a learning plan and schedule that suits your needs and preferences, and stick to it. You should also reward yourself for your achievements and celebrate your successes.

5 Lack of context

Another challenge of learning design thinking online is that you may lack context and relevance for your learning. Design thinking is not a one-size-fits-all approach, but a flexible and adaptable one. It depends on the specific problem, user, and situation you are dealing with, and it requires you to understand the context and the constraints of each case. However, when you learn design thinking online, you may not have enough exposure or access to the real context and users you want to serve. You may also rely on generic or hypothetical examples or scenarios that may not reflect the reality or the complexity of the issues you want to address. To overcome this challenge, you should seek out context and relevance for your learning, and use it to guide your design thinking process. You should also conduct your own research and observation, and talk to real users and stakeholders. You should also look for opportunities to apply your learning to real problems or challenges that matter to you and others.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?