Protocol Overview and Instructions: 
​
Another strategy to begin to understand and empathize with the individual that you are designing a solution for is to create a pain/gain map. Through this method, students will explore what the pain (e.g. What does a bad day look like for this person? What are they afraid of?) and gain (e.g. What does the person want? If we solved the driving question, how would the person benefit?) is for a user or person effected by the driving question. With the empathy map, you will often times want to have students create a pain/gain map for each of the individuals that they need to understand to effectively address the driving question.

Pain Gain Map Protocol Instructions

​

Educator Thoughts:

​This was actually pretty successful with my YK students.  They were really getting into thinking about themselves in the summer.  They discussed their clothing, who was with them, where they were, the weather and how they were feeling.  The big idea that came from this was they were outside and having fun!

"My students really put themselves into summer mode.  They thought of everything!"

​​

Student Quote:
​
"I am at the beach with my mom.  It is warm and I am having fun!"

​

Meet the Educator:

​Sara Highstreet has been teaching at Lakewood Elementary in West Ottawa Public School for 23 years.  She is currently teaching Young Kinders.   
​
    "PBL brings the fun back into school!  It allows students to work collaboratively and have control over their learning!"​