A Study of the Impact of Different Teaching Methods on Students’ Learning in Design Thinking Courses in Taiwan

This study explores the landscape of design thinking courses in Taiwan, focusing on 50 relevant courses and identifying four primary teaching methods: Experiential Learning, Active Learning, Learning by Teaching, and traditional lecturing. Experiential Learning, ranking highest, involves guiding students through the design thinking process, while Learning by Teaching requires students to teach their peers in a simple manner. Active Learning emphasizes student engagement in the learning process. Google Trends analysis indicates a close relationship between design thinking and these methods. The study delves into three courses—“Thematic Design Thinking Workshop”, “Design Thinking Practice and Promotion”, and “Bootcamp”—conducting interviews to gain insights into post-course experiences. The research evaluates participants’ perceptions of teaching methods and self-assessed learning abilities. Teaching methods encompass visualized teaching materials, feedback and guidance, teaching strategies, and a safe and inclusive classroom atmosphere. Each method develops specific abilities in students, such as change desire, experimentation, adjustment after failure, conceptualization, and teamwork. Self-assessment results using a design thinking cognitive scale reveal high scores in maintaining an open mindset across all methods, aligning with design thinking's core philosophy. The research underscores the importance of tailoring courses to instructors’ capabilities and classroom needs, optimizing the effectiveness of design thinking education and fostering diverse abilities in students.