A Critical Study of Design Thinking in Education

A Critical Study of Design Thinking in Education

 Introduction

Chapter 6 This article mainly discusses the application of "design thinking" and "learning design" in the field of education. It provides an in-depth analysis on how to optimize educational design by leveraging design thinking, and explores the current development trends and challenges in the field of learning design. 

Meanwhile, the podcast uses a light and easy-to-understand dialogue to illustrate the interaction and complementarity between this theory and its application in teaching practice.

 Critically review 

A critical review is an analysis and evaluation of a text, concept, or research work. It involves more than just summarizing the content—it requires examining the strengths, weaknesses, assumptions, and implications of the work. A critical review typically includes: 

*summary 
*analysis 
*evaluation
*comparison
*reflection

Essentially, a critical review is about engaging with the material thoughtfully rather than just accepting it at face value.

The highlights of the podcast

The podcast has obvious advantages in design thinking and learning design. Through a concise and to-the-point conversational style, the hosts can make complex design concepts more understandable without resorting to dull academic language. This approach is particularly suitable for educators and can help them better grasp the core principles of design thinking, such as solution orientation, prioritizing student needs, and flexibility. 

Furthermore, podcasts also emphasize the significance of "learning by doing", which echoes Bower's (2017) viewpoint. This hands-on approach to learning is pointed out as the best way to enhance design skills. In the field of education, teachers also need to constantly adjust their teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of students. This adaptability is the core of design thinking and learning design. 

This perspective is particularly valuable for educators, as it enables them to integrate design thinking into actual teaching, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and inclusiveness of teaching.

Reflections on the podcast

The viewpoints mentioned in the podcast concern the application of design thinking and learning design in education. It is indeed a challenging yet promising field. Firstly, there is the issue of technical obstacles. The podcast relies on technical equipment and internet connection, which may pose obstacles for some schools, students, and teachers. Especially in areas where technical equipment is not well-developed or internet conditions are unstable. Secondly, there is the technical proficiency of teachers. Although podcasts as educational tools are gradually being promoted, not all teachers possess sufficient technical capabilities to create, edit or use podcasts (Hristov, 2022). If teachers have not received relevant training, they may feel confused or uncertain, which are key factors determining the successful implementation of these innovative methods. In fact, although design thinking can promote innovation and problem-solving, it cannot guarantee these necessary factors. Teachers find it difficult to apply these methods efficiently in the classroom.

Conclusion

Podcasts, as a learning tool, have great potential now, but their theoretical basis and integration methods still need to be further strengthened. Educational innovation requires providing training for educators on how to produce and use podcasts, enabling them to effectively utilize this tool for teaching, enhancing interactivity, ensuring that technology and human development complement each other rather than merely being driven by technology alone. The combination of these two viewpoints precisely highlights the challenges and future directions in the current educational field, especially in how to effectively apply these emerging methods in actual classrooms, how to enhance teachers' capabilities, and provide them with sufficient support resources to ensure that these innovative methods can truly and effectively integrate into teaching practice (Pegrum, Battle and Longnecker, 2015).

AI Acknowledgement Statement 

During the process of completing this blog, I utilized AI for assistance. Specifically, NotebookLM was employed to obtain the blog and extract key information. ChatGPT was used for integrating and analyzing the article. The final critical thinking and text editing were accomplished by myself, ensuring the originality and integrity of the academic content.

Reference

1. Bower, M. (2017). Design of Technology-Enhanced Learning: Integrating Research and Practice. Bingley: Emerald Publishing Limited.

2. Hristov, R. (2022) ‘A Model for Application of Flipped Classroom with Integrated Podcast and Vidcast in it in English Language Classes’, 10(1), pp. 22–33.

3. Pegrum, M., Bartle, E. & Longnecker, N. (2015) ‘Can creative podcasting promote deep learning? The use of podcasting for learning content in an undergraduate science unit’, British journal of educational technology, 46(1), pp. 142–152.