Explore how design thinking and human-centered design can transform digital agriculture. In this course, you’ll learn how to identify unmet needs, empathize with stakeholders, and co-create innovative solutions for real-world challenges in agriculture. Through the lens of design thinking, you’ll be introduced to the tools and mindsets used to develop meaningful, user-centered technologies that serve farmers, researchers, and agribusiness professionals alike.
You'll begin by developing a foundation in human-centered design mindsets and methods. From there, you’ll explore how digital technologies like precision agriculture tools and AI are reshaping food systems. You’ll learn to apply design thinking to these technologies—moving from problem framing to ideation, prototyping, and testing.
Along the way, you’ll consider ethics, sustainability, stakeholder communication, and data storytelling. You’ll gain strategies to make complex digital tools more usable, equitable, and scalable within diverse agricultural communities.
Whether you're in agtech, policy, research, or education, this course equips you to design with people—not just for them.
Learn about the course by reviewing the course syllabus and meeting your instructor. Then, dive into module 1, where we will introduce learners to Human-Centered Design (HCD), its definition, processes, practices, and mindsets. It provides learners with the basic understanding of the two key HCD principles: 1) empathy and 2) iteration, as well as their application to innovative problem solving.
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6 vidéos6 lectures4 devoirs1 sujet de discussion2 plugins
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6 vidéos•Total 48 minutes
About the Course•5 minutes
What is Design Thinking? •9 minutes
The HCD and DT Processes•10 minutes
Core Principles for Success•7 minutes
A Design Thinking Example: World Hunger•13 minutes
Module 1 Key Takeaways•3 minutes
6 lectures•Total 70 minutes
Course Guide•15 minutes
Advance your learning through CDA & AIFARMS•10 minutes
What is Human-Centered Design?•15 minutes
The Journey of Design Thinking to Creative Confidence•10 minutes
HCD vs. Design Thinking•10 minutes
Processes, Practices, & Mindsets •10 minutes
4 devoirs•Total 130 minutes
Learning Check•35 minutes
Learning Check•20 minutes
Learning Check•15 minutes
Module 1: Dig Deeper•60 minutes
1 sujet de discussion•Total 10 minutes
Applying HCD in Agriculture•10 minutes
2 plugins•Total 6 minutes
YouTube | Access & Ability: Emma Watch•3 minutes
YouTube | Brene Brown on Empathy vs. Sympathy•3 minutes
Module 2: Intro to Digital Agriculture & Precision Agriculture
Module 2•6 heures à terminer
Détails du module
Module 2 provides an overview of digital/precision agriculture technologies and their applications with a focus on connecting design thinking and digitization. Learners will develop skills through activities and assignments with the ultimate goal of integrating HCD and DT into their work regarding digital agriculture.
Inclus
4 vidéos6 lectures3 devoirs1 sujet de discussion
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4 vidéos•Total 23 minutes
Defining Desirability, Feasibility, Viability, and Ethicality •4 minutes
Digging Deeper into DFVE•8 minutes
Vertical Farms: A Case Study for DT•7 minutes
Module 2: Key Takeaways•4 minutes
6 lectures•Total 130 minutes
Digital Agriculture Technologies•10 minutes
Forbes' 10 Digital Technologies That Are Transforming Agriculture•10 minutes
Overview of Digital Agriculture Research at AIFARM•60 minutes
Introducing Vertical Farming•20 minutes
Could this Tech Help Safe Water?•20 minutes
Case Study: Optimizing Corn Farming with Digital Agriculture•10 minutes
3 devoirs•Total 150 minutes
Learning Check•40 minutes
Learning Check•50 minutes
Module 2: Dig Deeper Reflection•60 minutes
1 sujet de discussion•Total 15 minutes
Benefits and Drawbacks of Digital Ag Integration•15 minutes
Module 3: Needs & Challenges of Farmers & Stakeholders in Digital Agriculture
Module 3•5 heures à terminer
Détails du module
Module 3 encourages learners to empathize with farmers and other stakeholders who are involved in the design and implementation of digital agriculture. This module will equip learners with the knowledge and skills to understand the needs and challenges faced by farmers and other stakeholders in the adoption and implementation of digital agriculture. By the end of this module, learners should be able to identify the unique needs and challenges of farmers and other stakeholders in various contexts and develop empathy towards their perspectives.
Inclus
7 vidéos4 lectures4 devoirs1 sujet de discussion
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7 vidéos•Total 47 minutes
Why Interviewing Matters•4 minutes
The Interview Process•4 minutes
Creating Effective Interview Guides•7 minutes
Crafting Effective Interview Questions•11 minutes
Interviewing Pitfalls and Best Practices•5 minutes
Identifying Segments and Insights•8 minutes
Module 3: Wrap-up•7 minutes
4 lectures•Total 85 minutes
Understanding the Role of Empathy in DT•20 minutes
Stakeholder Mapping•15 minutes
Feed the Future's EatSafe Food Safety Stakeholder Mapping Report for Nigeria•30 minutes
Interview for Empathy•20 minutes
4 devoirs•Total 155 minutes
Learning Check•20 minutes
Learning Check•40 minutes
Learning Check•35 minutes
Module 3: Dig Deeper•60 minutes
1 sujet de discussion•Total 10 minutes
Empathy as a Driving Force for Transformation•10 minutes
Module 4: From Ideas to Action
Module 4•4 heures à terminer
Détails du module
Module 4 utilizes design thinking principles to ideate and prototype solutions that address the needs and challenges of farmers and other stakeholders. Additionally, learners should be able to critically analyze the impact of digital agriculture solutions on the livelihoods of farmers and other stakeholders. Learners will also consider the ethical and sustainable implications of their design solutions.
Inclus
4 lectures3 devoirs1 sujet de discussion2 plugins
Afficher les informations sur le contenu du module
4 lectures•Total 75 minutes
What is Ideation in Design Thinking? •15 minutes
Ideation in Agriculture•25 minutes
What is Prototyping and Iteration? •10 minutes
In Action: Iterative Design and Evaluation•25 minutes
3 devoirs•Total 140 minutes
Learning Check•40 minutes
Learning Check•40 minutes
Module 4: Dig Deeper•60 minutes
1 sujet de discussion•Total 10 minutes
The Role of Prototyping•10 minutes
2 plugins•Total 25 minutes
YouTube | Creative thinking - how to get out of the box and generate ideas•15 minutes
YouTube | Prototyping, Iterating, and Making New Things•10 minutes
Module 5: Scaling and Sustainability of Digital Agriculture Solutions
Module 5•4 heures à terminer
Détails du module
Module 5 will equip you with the strategies required to scale and sustain digital agriculture solutions effectively. This module will cover the essential concepts and strategies related to scaling and sustainability in the context of digital agriculture solutions. You will explore the factors influencing successful scaling, such as technology adoption, stakeholder engagement, and business models. You will also delve into the challenges and considerations involved in ensuring the sustainability of digital agriculture initiatives, including environmental impact, social equity, and economic viability. Through case studies, discussions, and hands-on activities, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to navigate the complexities of scaling and sustainability in the field of digital agriculture.
Inclus
4 lectures4 devoirs1 sujet de discussion1 plugin
Afficher les informations sur le contenu du module
4 lectures•Total 80 minutes
What is Scaling and Sustainability?•10 minutes
Impediments in Scalability•35 minutes
The Science of Scaling•15 minutes
Technology, Scaling, & Sustainability: A Tanzania Case Study•20 minutes
4 devoirs•Total 140 minutes
Learning Check•40 minutes
Learning Check•20 minutes
Learning Check•20 minutes
Module 5: Dig Deeper•60 minutes
1 sujet de discussion•Total 10 minutes
Considering Environmental Impacts in Scaling•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
Sustainable Agriculture Production | Todd Mayhew •15 minutes
Module 6: Ethical Considerations in Digital Agriculture Solutions
Module 6•4 heures à terminer
Détails du module
Module 6 will allow you to explore the ethical considerations related to the design and implementation of digital agriculture solutions, enabling you to make informed and responsible decisions.
Inclus
4 lectures4 devoirs1 sujet de discussion
Afficher les informations sur le contenu du module
4 lectures•Total 96 minutes
Ethical Principles Framework for AI in Digital Agriculture? •20 minutes
Ethical Implications of AI Robots in Agriculture•10 minutes
Challenges and Opportunities In Adopting AgTech•15 minutes
Ethical & Legal Issues in Ag Data•51 minutes
4 devoirs•Total 160 minutes
Learning Check•60 minutes
Learning Check•20 minutes
Learning Check•20 minutes
Module 6: Dig Deeper•60 minutes
1 sujet de discussion•Total 10 minutes
Aligning Interests with Ethics•10 minutes
Module 7: Communicating Digital Agriculture Solutions & Conclusion
Module 7•5 heures à terminer
Détails du module
Module 7 will equip you with the knowledge and skills to effectively communicate digital agriculture solutions using a design thinking approach.
Inclus
7 lectures5 devoirs1 sujet de discussion
Afficher les informations sur le contenu du module
7 lectures•Total 95 minutes
What is Data Storytelling?•25 minutes
How Important is Communication to the Agricultural Industry?•15 minutes
Connecting Dots•15 minutes
How Communication Affects Adoption•15 minutes
Congratulations from ACES Online Programs•5 minutes
Getting Your Course Certificate•10 minutes
Copy of Advance your learning through CDA & AIFARMS•10 minutes
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a world leader in research, teaching and public engagement, distinguished by the breadth of its programs, broad academic excellence, and internationally renowned faculty and alumni. Illinois serves the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and finding solutions to critical societal needs.
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