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About Incite Literacy
Our Learning Method

Our Learning Method

At Incite Literacy, we blend two proven frameworks: Project-Based Learning (PBL) provides the structure, while Design Thinking (DT) infuses the creative process. Together, they create a powerful learning journey.

Our Integrated Phases

Every project follows these four phases, combining the best of both frameworks:

Week 1: Discover & Define

What you do: Understand the challenge, research the context, define your driving question
PBL Focus: Launch project with authentic purpose
DT Focus: Empathize with users, Define the real problem
AI Integration: Research assistance, but verify everything independently

Week 2: Design & Build

What you do: Generate ideas, create solutions, build your project
PBL Focus: Build knowledge through active creation
DT Focus: Ideate multiple solutions, Prototype quickly
AI Integration: Brainstorming partner, but your vision drives decisions

Week 3: Test & Iterate

What you do: Test with real people, gather feedback, refine based on results
PBL Focus: Authentic assessment with real audiences
DT Focus: Test assumptions, iterate based on feedback
AI Integration: Analyze feedback patterns, but human responses guide changes

Week 4: Present & Reflect

What you do: Share with authentic audience, document learning, plan next steps
PBL Focus: Public presentation of work
DT Focus: Reflect on process and impact
AI Integration: Help prepare presentations, but your authentic voice leads

Note: 3-week projects combine phases strategically while maintaining the full learning cycle.

Project-Based Learning (PBL) Foundation

PBL ensures you create real work for real purposes:

  • Driving Questions guide inquiry
  • Authentic Audiences provide real feedback
  • Public Products demonstrate learning
  • Reflection deepens understanding
  • Revision improves quality

Every project results in something meaningful that exists beyond the classroom.

Design Thinking (DT) Mindsets

While PBL provides structure, Design Thinking shapes how you approach problems:

Empathize → Understand the people you’re designing for
Define → Clarify the real problem to solve
Ideate → Generate multiple creative solutions
Prototype → Build quick, testable versions
Test → Get feedback and iterate

These aren’t just steps—they’re mindsets woven throughout your journey. When interviewing users (Week 1), you’re practicing empathy. When building (Week 2), you’re prototyping. When refining (Week 3), you’re iterating.

How They Work Together

Think of it this way:

  • PBL is your roadmap (ensures you complete meaningful work)
  • DT is your compass (guides creative problem-solving)
  • Our phases integrate both (each week purposefully combines elements)

The magic happens when structure meets creativity—you’re not just following steps, you’re developing intuition for solving real problems.

Your Learning Progression

Phase 1: Structured Learning
Follow the four-week framework closely, use all templates and guides, build confidence through supported completion.

Phase 2: Adaptive Application
Adjust phases to your project needs, reduce scaffolding, maintain quality while increasing independence.

Phase 3: Independent Creation
Define your own projects, create custom timelines, use only the support you need while maintaining rigor.

The goal isn’t to master these frameworks—it’s to internalize them until they become your natural way of working.

Where AI Fits In

AI amplifies both frameworks without replacing human creativity:

Supporting PBL:

  • Research assistance (verify independently)
  • Draft creation (rewrite in your voice)
  • Feedback analysis (human judgment prevails)
  • Presentation prep (authentic delivery matters)

Supporting DT:

  • Empathy mapping (but real conversations matter more)
  • Problem definition (your lived experience leads)
  • Idea generation (starting points, not endpoints)
  • Rapid prototyping (your vision, AI assistance)
  • Testing design (human feedback is truth)

Remember: AI is a powerful tool, but you’re the designer, the decision-maker, and the creator. Document when you choose differently than AI suggests—this demonstrates critical thinking.

Workbook Integration

Our Incite Literacy Project Workbook provides three entry points, all leading through the same phases:

  • Challenge Template: Start with a frustration (Discover & Define emphasis)
  • Objective Template: Start with a skill goal (Design & Build emphasis)
  • Problem Template: Start with a clear problem (Test & Iterate emphasis)

All paths move through all four phases—you just enter from different angles based on your starting point.

Ready to Apply These Frameworks?

Every project follows these phases. Every phase builds essential skills. Every skill transfers to real life.

Get Started → | View Example Projects → | Download Workbook →