From Theory to Practice: Co-Design in Contemporary Education

• In Event: Empowering Learners Through Reflection, Choice, and Participatory Practices: Innovative Approaches in Education

Abstract

This study explores the transformative impact of co-design methodologies in higher education, integrating constructivist, constructionist, and transformative learning theories to foster a participatory learning environment. Through design-based research and learning experience network analysis, we examined how students in a graduate course co-designed and engaged in learning activities. Our analysis identified distinct experiential clusters reflecting diverse student interactions with co-design elements. Findings highlight co-design's capacity to empower students, enhancing engagement and ownership of learning processes. This study underscores the effectiveness of co-design in actualizing theoretical frameworks in practical settings, advocating for educational strategies that promote reflective participation and real-world connections, thereby enriching the educational experience and outcomes.

Authors

• Joyce Bibi Katompa, University of Alabama - Birmingham

• Jonan Phillip Donaldson, University of Alabama - Birmingham