Today’s classrooms must transform into spaces where students gain agency, hands-on experience and the confidence to make decisions with integrity. Schools can achieve this by creating environments that nurture curiosity and innovation to prepare young people to lead with a purpose.
That’s according to , CEO of Designing Schools and a keynote speaker at FETC 2025, who shared the concept of design thinking and how leaders can use its framework as a tool to inspire creativity with AI.
For instance, Quidwai recommends the when interacting with AI to achieve a particular goal. The acronym stands for:
- Situation: Describe the current state or context in which you’re operating
- Problem: Identify the specific problem or challenge you’re facing
- Aspiration: Articulate your desired outcome or vision for success
- Results: Define the specific, measurable results you hope to achieve
- Kismet: Add an element of serendipity or surprise
Here’s an example of the SPARK framework in action with ChatGPT:
Spark: I teach 10th grade English and I’m concerned about the issue of cheating, particularly with essay writing in my class.
Problem: Despite the potential of AI to enhance educational outcomes, I’m struggling to ensure that students engage authentically with their assignments.
Aspiration: We aim to redesign my lessons to not only address cheating but also equip students with critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.
Results: I want students to showcase their understanding through projects that reflect real-world application and creativity.
Kesmit: Can you share three to four ideas to get me started?
3 elements to the AI mindset
As you’re applying this concept to your work, it’s important to stay true to what Quidwai calls the “AI mindset.” Here are three common mindsets—one to avoid, one to lean into and one to hone for the future:
Fixed mindset: I’ll never be able to change anything, I’m just a teacher and the system is too big for me to do anything.
Growth mindset: I may not control the entire system, but as a teacher, I can start by creating small changes in my classroom that inspire my students and influence my colleagues.
AI mindset: How can AI help me identify opportunities for change, save time on repetitive tasks, and amplify my ability to make an impact?
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