Stanford Online: Design Thinking Action Lab Assignment # 7: Prototype and Test Submitted by Shamik Chowdhury

1. Design Thinking Action Lab
Service with
a Smile:
Prototype
& Test
Shamik Chowdhury

2. Problem
Statement
The career coordinator at a hotel
school needs to explore ways to equip
her students with adequate
knowledge, understanding, skills, and
wisdom, because she wants them to
step into the hotel industry with
greater confidence and self esteem.

3. Design
Solutions

4. Prototype # 1
A blended learning
curriculum to leverage
“design thinking” and
“emerging technologies”.

5. Customized Self-
Development Tools
Interactive and Blended
Learning Solutions
Existing Student
Curriculum
Student Engagement and
Participation
Effective Learning
Equation

6. Classroom
Training
Online
Learning
Benefits of
Blended Learning
Balanced development
of knowledge, skills
and behavior
More productive
analytics, and better
results, at same or
lower costs
Personalized
learning experience,
and better peer-to-
peer networking
Multi-platform
accessibility, and smarter
use of technology
Continuously
adaptable content,
and dynamic use of
media resources

7. What’s in
the “Blend”?
Social
Learning
Platform
Gamification
Online
Videos
Classroom-based
Mentoring and
Personalized
Assistance
Custom
Learning
Paths
Digital
Media
Resources
Connected.
Informed.
Engaged.

8. In a Nutshell…

9. Bouquets & Brickbats
+ Liked the concept of blended learning
+ Was open to the possibility of redesigning the
curriculum to make it more engaging, interactive,
and self-paced
+ Excited about leveraging technology
+ Found the concept of video-based performance
support system interesting
+ Agreed that self-paced learning would shift focus
to “learner-centric” content
What Worked
- Did not understand “social learning platform”
- Was not convinced about cost-effectiveness of
solution in the short term
- Had concerns about technological considerations
(LMS, portal, etc.)
- Asked whether learners would be keen to explore
new ways of learning
- Thought the solution was “too big”
Improvements
? How long would it take to implement the solution
? How will you assess whether the solution is
effective
? What about students who do not have access to
tablets or smart phones
? What is “Nano” learning
Questions
! Do a small-scale intervention with only a part of
the curriculum to begin with
! Conduct a survey among teachers and students to
assess barriers and biases
! Work out approximate budgets for small-scale,
mid-range and full-scale deployment
! Organize a series of trainings to sensitize teachers
about their changing role
Ideas

10. Prototype # 2
An interactive, immersive,
and multi-platform learning
product that applies “game
design” to hotel school
education .

11. PCs/Macs
iPads /
Tablets
Smart
phones

12. Hotel Manager
A game-based virtual
simulation tool
based on the theme of
operating a hotel and
managing guests
Game
On!

13. Points: 4,500 | Level: 7
Hotel Manager
A wide range of gaming
elements and interactive
learning resources
Menu
Features

14. Maps
Points: 4,500 | Level: 7
Maps – Free-form
(exploratory) play mode, with
interactive maps that offer
assignments, challenges, video
learning nuggets, and tips and
tricks
Interactive
Maps

15. Maps
Points: 4,500 | Level: 7
Maps – An opportunity to
explore hotel features and
facilities without getting off
the couch.
Animated
Videos

16. Maps – Multiple viewing modes
and responsive design.
Responsive
Design

17. Missions
Points: 4,500 | Level: 7
Missions – 0bjective-based
play mode, with interactive
challenges to test customer
orientation, problem handling,
time management and
communication skills
Level-Up
Missions

18. Problem Solver
Rewards – Multiple outcome
based feedback system, with the
option of leveling-up, and
gathering points and badges .
Rewards &
Incentives

19. Badges
Points: 4,500 | Level: 7
Badges – A wide variety of
badges and awards to drive
user behavior, and employ
game-based rules to trigger
rewards, including time-based
mechanics, activity missions,
and integrated game
mechanics.
Points &
Badges

20. Library
Points: 4,500 | Level: 7
Library – A wide variety of
learning resources that
provide additional information,
tips, guides, and further
reading related to various
game elements and missions.
Library of
Resources

21. Hotel Manager
You WIN when you LEARN…
You LEARN when you WIN!
Game
Over!

22. + Loved the concept of “gamification”
+ Was excited about the possibilities of letting
students access information on their phones
+ Liked the concept of “fun + learning”
+ Found the “points and badges” system
interesting
+ Liked the prototype concept 
What worked
- Wondered whether the effectiveness of
solution would be handset-dependent
- Asked if the game could be multiplayer
- Had concerns about student interpretation of
mission outcomes
- Asked how the point and badges system could
be converted into study credits
- What about students who don’t like “gaming”
Improvements
? How long would it take to implement the
solution
? How will you assess whether the solution is
effective
? Would the game be an app
? How will you capture feedback and queries that
are not “scripted”
? How will you convey that there is more than
one way to solve a problem
Questions
! Provide “gaming” and “learning” as separate
user-defined paths
! Include a game mechanism that allows players
to seek help from peers
! Create a functional, low-res version if possible
to test user acceptance
! Identify areas within the curriculum that
support a “gaming” approach
Ideas
The Proof of the Pudding…

23. Thank You
Design Thinking Action Lab
Shamik Chowdhury