The Teaching Shortage is a Wicked Problem

Now that it is back to school time, one conversation that has come to light now more than ever is the teaching shortage in the United States. After learning about wicked problems, I now know that this problem of schools retaining their educators is indeed a wicked problem.

Wicked problems are issues that are influenced by many factors and conditions, and these factors are ever-changing (Masters of Arts in Education Technology, 2022). The tough thing about solving wicked problems is that there is no one proper solution due to the many factors, and while trying to solve the wicked problem, even more complex problems may come to the surface. While looking at the teaching shortage, I knew this was a wicked problem because factors such as parental influence, administration requirements, student behaviors, educational policies from lawmakers, budgets from state and federal governments, and the pandemic stressors all influence educators' decisions to stay in the classroom. 

The design thinking process that I went through to attempt to solve the teaching shortage problem.

When thinking about a solution to this complex problem, I naturally went through Stanford's Design Thinking process. By going through this process, I was able to empathize with all stakeholders associated with this problem and attempt to create a solution that benefitted all parties. While going through this process, I came up with the idea of implementing a four-day face-to-face school week with one day of asynchronous learning for students. After completing research, I believe that this would reduce teacher burnout, allow students to participate in other interests outside of the classroom, and reduce funding that could go back into funding classroom resources. For another perspective on this solution, check out this podcast by KQED. While this is not the "perfect" solution to this messy problem, it would be a good start.

To learn more about this problem, click through this interactive presentation.

References: 

Gobir, N. (2022, August 2). Why more schools are considering a 4-day week despite some drawbacks [Blog Post]. KQED. https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/59644/why-more-schools-are-considering-a-4-day-week-despite-some-drawbacks.

Master of Arts in Educational Technology (2022, Summer). Course content from Unit 5: Explore wicked problems. Michigan State University, CEP 812: Applying educational technology to issues of practice. https://d2l.msu.edu/d2l/le/content/1470987/viewContent/12747079/View

Plattner, H. (n.d.). An Introduction to Design Thinking Process Guide. Institute Design at Stanford. https://web.stanford.edu/~mshanks/MichaelShanks/files/509554.pdf

Swenson, L. (2022). Wicked problem project. ThinkLink. https://www.thinglink.com/scene/1616103049627959297

Image Credits:

Terrar, D. (2018). What is Design Thinking?. Agile Thinking. http://www.theagileelephant.com/what-is-design-thinking/

Super Simple. (2018). Teachers Day Thank You GIF. Giphy. https://media.giphy.com/media/d5vvF6uXqxWo90rSRS/giphy.gif