Integrating Design Thinking into Higher Education: Enhancing Student Creativity and Critical Thinking
Journal: Journal of Higher Education Research DOI: 10.32629/jher.v5i6.3389
Abstract
This paper examines the integration of Design Thinking into higher education as a means to enhance student creativity and critical thinking skills. Design Thinking, with its structured yet flexible framework, offers a transformative approach to traditional teaching methods, fostering an environment that encourages innovation and practical problem-solving. The paper outlines the core phases of the Design Thinking process — Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test — and discusses how these can be applied within an academic setting to stimulate creative problem solving and interdisciplinary collaboration. It highlights the benefits of this approach in enriching the curriculum, evolving teaching strategies, and redefining assessment methods to better prepare students for the demands of the modern workforce. The paper also emphasizes the importance of nurturing creativity through cross-disciplinary approaches and the exploration of diverse perspectives. In conclusion, the integration of Design Thinking into higher education is posited as a strategic investment in the future, equipping students with the skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world and to contribute meaningfully to society.
Keywords
design thinking, creativity, critical thinking, higher education, interdisciplinary collaboration
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[6]Peter B.Learning design ecosystems thinking: defying the linear imperative and designing for higher education at-scale[J].Journal of Work-Applied Management,2024,16(2):283-291.
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[11]Xiaoyan L.Case Design and Practice of Integrating Ideological and Political Education into Higher Mathematics Teaching[J].International Education Forum,2024,2(6):65-72.
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