Design Thinking in Teacher Education: Examining Preservice Teachers' Perceptions and Conceptualizations of "Teachers as Designers"

• In Event: Understand Design and Technology

Abstract

Teacher educators face multifaceted challenges in their professional practices that can rarely be resolved through simple or linear solutions. Design thinking processes allow understanding the needs of users while designing effective solutions. To engage future teachers in design thinking phases, we implemented a Design Thinking module over two semesters. We examined preservice teachers’ perceptions of their design thinking experiences and the changes in their conceptualizations of “teachers as designers”. 19 preservice teachers enrolled in an advanced learning technologies course participated in this research. The qualitative analysis of their reflections revealed embracing design thinking mindsets and their change in designer identity roles under three themes: the three themes a) change agents, (b) entrepreneurs and (c) innovators.

Authors

• Evrim Baran, Iowa State University

• Dana Alzoubi, Iowa State University