Design Thinking for Innovation 

 by University of Virginia 

 Peer - graded Assignment : Reflection 

 February 15 , 2017 

 Student :   Yoko Watanabe 

 1 . Challenge : 

 I use mind mapping very often , in different areas of my life , whenever I have a problem   to attack . I started using this tool to help me organize my own life in the beginning of   each year , as a way to help me visualize my new year ’s resolutions .   I start by setting up   goals I want to achieve , action plans I would need to put in practice in order to achieve   those goals , stakeholders that would participate and contribute for those goals to happen ,   and material and intellectual resources required to implement the actions . 

 When one of my goals is too complex or big , I usually dedicate a mind map exclusively   to tackle that specific matter .    A good and successful example of a mind map that helped   me to achieve a goal was couple of years ago , when I decided to pursue a master ’s degree   in the United States .   The mind map I drew at that occasion gave me a clear and detailed   overview on everything I needed to do in order to accomplish that goal . 

 2 . Selection : 

 The mind mapping is a graphical tool that allows the user to mix words , images , color   and other elements , that at the end of the day , will make it easier for the user to   memorize , organize his thoughts , generate new ideas and explore different and creative   paths to solve a problem . The exercise can be done alone , but also can be used by a   group , making it possible for the participants to have a clear perspective of what other   members are thinking and creating an effective flow of ideas . 

 3 . Application : 

 I start the mind mapping exercise by putting the problem in the center of a blank paper .    There are software and digital tools for mind mapping , but I am old school and usually ,   when the ideas start to flow I do not have the computer or other digital devices with me . 

 Thus , using the example of the Master ’s Degree mapping I produced a couple of years   ago , I started by drawing a graduation cap and the USA flag in the center of the paper .    Then , the first arrow I pulled referred to all the universities I would consider sending   application to , with small second level branches describing pros and cons of each   program .   The second main arrow referred to the application requirements I needed to   fulfill , including obtaining translated transcripts and reference letters , sitting for the 

 Design Thinking for Innovation 

 by Benguet State University 

 Peer - graded Assignment : Reflection 

 February 15 , 2017 

 Student :   Yoko Watanabe 

 TOEFL test , drafting resume , cover letters and letters of motivations .   Then , the next   branch contained the stakeholders I would need to reach out to and the contribution I   needed from each of them ( e.g. John C. – reference letter ;   Mary D. – translation ) .   The   next branch was dedicated for expenses estimation and the financial resources that I   already had and what I needed to acquire until the start of the program .   Finally , I drew a   branch dedicated for some important dates . 

 After I concluded the map , I felt as if I had accomplished half of the way already .   After   that , I started putting the actions in practice and I returned to the map every once in a   while to make sure I was in the right track . 

 4 . Insight : 

 By using mind mapping to tackle issues in different areas of my life , I became more   productive and can solve problems or execute projects significantly faster and in a more   creative manner . 

 5 . Approach : 

 I have been using mind mapping for a few years and I think I developed some good skills   in doing better connections of ideas .   In the beginning I was also afraid of using images   and colors because I am not a good designer .   But after some practice I realized that it did   not matter if I was drawing straw - man - like images .   What matters is the power of   memorization that the images provide , as well as the feeling that the ideas are more   concrete . 


EMAIL: 
ID_NUM: 
NAME_STUDENT: Yoko Watanabe, Yoko Watanabe
PHONE_NUM: 
STREET_ADDRESS: 
URL_PERSONAL: 
USERNAME: 

### Task: You are a PII (Personal Identity Information) Detection. Given a essays written by students, you have to identify ONLY the following:
NAME_STUDENT - The full or partial name of a student that is not necessarily the author of the essay. This excludes instructors, authors, and other person names.
EMAIL - A student’s email address.
USERNAME - A student's username on any platform.
ID_NUM - A number or sequence of characters that could be used to identify a student, such as a student ID or a social security number.
PHONE_NUM - A phone number associated with a student.
URL_PERSONAL - A URL that might be used to identify a student.
STREET_ADDRESS - A full or partial street address that is associated with the student, such as their home address.
### Input: Design Thinking for Innovation 

 by University of Virginia 

 Peer - graded Assignment : Reflection 

 February 15 , 2017 

 Student :   Yoko Watanabe 

 1 . Challenge : 

 I use mind mapping very often , in different areas of my life , whenever I have a problem   to attack . I started using this tool to help me organize my own life in the beginning of   each year , as a way to help me visualize my new year ’s resolutions .   I start by setting up   goals I want to achieve , action plans I would need to put in practice in order to achieve   those goals , stakeholders that would participate and contribute for those goals to happen ,   and material and intellectual resources required to implement the actions . 

 When one of my goals is too complex or big , I usually dedicate a mind map exclusively   to tackle that specific matter .    A good and successful example of a mind map that helped   me to achieve a goal was couple of years ago , when I decided to pursue a master ’s degree   in the United States .   The mind map I drew at that occasion gave me a clear and detailed   overview on everything I needed to do in order to accomplish that goal . 

 2 . Selection : 

 The mind mapping is a graphical tool that allows the user to mix words , images , color   and other elements , that at the end of the day , will make it easier for the user to   memorize , organize his thoughts , generate new ideas and explore different and creative   paths to solve a problem . The exercise can be done alone , but also can be used by a   group , making it possible for the participants to have a clear perspective of what other   members are thinking and creating an effective flow of ideas . 

 3 . Application : 

 I start the mind mapping exercise by putting the problem in the center of a blank paper .    There are software and digital tools for mind mapping , but I am old school and usually ,   when the ideas start to flow I do not have the computer or other digital devices with me . 

 Thus , using the example of the Master ’s Degree mapping I produced a couple of years   ago , I started by drawing a graduation cap and the USA flag in the center of the paper .    Then , the first arrow I pulled referred to all the universities I would consider sending   application to , with small second level branches describing pros and cons of each   program .   The second main arrow referred to the application requirements I needed to   fulfill , including obtaining translated transcripts and reference letters , sitting for the 

 Design Thinking for Innovation 

 by Benguet State University 

 Peer - graded Assignment : Reflection 

 February 15 , 2017 

 Student :   Yoko Watanabe 

 TOEFL test , drafting resume , cover letters and letters of motivations .   Then , the next   branch contained the stakeholders I would need to reach out to and the contribution I   needed from each of them ( e.g. John C. – reference letter ;   Mary D. – translation ) .   The   next branch was dedicated for expenses estimation and the financial resources that I   already had and what I needed to acquire until the start of the program .   Finally , I drew a   branch dedicated for some important dates . 

 After I concluded the map , I felt as if I had accomplished half of the way already .   After   that , I started putting the actions in practice and I returned to the map every once in a   while to make sure I was in the right track . 

 4 . Insight : 

 By using mind mapping to tackle issues in different areas of my life , I became more   productive and can solve problems or execute projects significantly faster and in a more   creative manner . 

 5 . Approach : 

 I have been using mind mapping for a few years and I think I developed some good skills   in doing better connections of ideas .   In the beginning I was also afraid of using images   and colors because I am not a good designer .   But after some practice I realized that it did   not matter if I was drawing straw - man - like images .   What matters is the power of   memorization that the images provide , as well as the feeling that the ideas are more   concrete .
### Output: 