{"id":351,"date":"2025-06-05T22:35:13","date_gmt":"2025-06-05T22:35:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.greencarsnow.com\/?p=351"},"modified":"2025-06-06T09:35:15","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T09:35:15","slug":"design-thinking-simply-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.greencarsnow.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/05\/design-thinking-simply-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Design Thinking Simply Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ask any teacher what makes learning meaningful, and you\u2019ll hear words like relevance, curiosity, empathy, and hands-on problem solving.<\/p>\n

Now what if I told you there\u2019s an approach that brings all of this together?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s called design thinking.<\/p>\n

It goes back to the 1960s. Herbert Simon was one of the early voices who said design thinking offers a distinct way of thinking, not like the scientific method, but more focused on shaping experiences.<\/p>\n

After him, scholars like Bruce Archer, Bryan Lawson, Per G. Rowe, and Nigel Cross studied how designers actually work (Clarke, 2020).<\/p>\n

What they found was clear: designers think differently.<\/p>\n

They don\u2019t just solve problems, they reframe them.<\/p>\n

They start with empathy, focus on the user, test ideas, and aren\u2019t afraid to redesign over and over. In their world, a good design is never final.<\/p>\n

Yes, it began in business. But it didn\u2019t stay there. Schools, colleges, and educators across the world now apply design thinking to curriculum, leadership, and learning itself.<\/p>\n

As a former teacher, I see so much of it in what we\u2019ve always done: inquiry-based learning, project-based work, experiential methods.<\/p>\n

What design thinking adds is a clear mindset, a way to stay grounded in user needs while staying open to iteration.<\/p>\n

And now, with AI reshaping education in real time, I think this mindset matters more than ever.<\/p>\n

As Gallagher and Thordarson (2018) remind us, design thinking isn\u2019t just a toolkit, it\u2019s a way of leading and learning that keeps people at the center.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a visual I created to break it all down: what design thinking is, how it works in education, and why it matters for teachers.<\/p>\n

Check the comment section for the download link.<\/p>\n

1. What is Design Thinking?<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s start with two helpful definitions that capture the essence of design thinking in education.<\/p>\n

\u201cDesign thinking is a people-based, not technology-based, problem-solving approach
that begins with empathizing to gain a deep understanding of the needs of
users. The process is inclusive and collaborative\u201d (Allworth et al. 2021, p. 2).<\/p>\n

\u201ca way of thinking\u2014it\u2019s a way of looking at the world that is guided by problem finding, framing, and solving; creativity; human-centeredness; divergent thinking; the idea that anything is possible; comfort with failure; and iteration.\u201d (Clarke, 2020)<\/p>\n

Together, these definitions frame design thinking as more than just a method, it\u2019s a mindset. Allworth and colleagues emphasize its collaborative and empathetic nature, reminding us that meaningful change begins with people, not tools. Clarke takes it further, describing a way of seeing and engaging with the world that embraces creativity, ambiguity, and the belief that progress comes through trial and revision.<\/p>\n

2. Benefits of Design Thinking <\/h2>\n

Design thinking offers a practical shift in how we approach teaching and learning. According to Nash and Allen (2022), it gives teachers space to lead meaningful change and brings students into the process as active participants. <\/p>\n

It centers empathy, collaboration, and creativity, qualities that support deeper learning and stronger classroom culture. The list below outlines some of the key benefits educators can draw from this approach.<\/p>\n