The Role of Design Thinking in Refocusing the Secondary Education System

Abstract

Although the current education system has been designed to prepare students for life after school, there is a large disconnect between the skills students need for the workforce and the skills they are being taught. Design thinking offers a human-centered approach to creative problem solving that can serve as a solution to the current education crisis. Method: The present review synthesizes qualitative and quantitative studies published over the past two decades that examined the application of design thinking in the secondary education system in the United States. Results: Two main applications of design thinking were identified for the secondary education system: curriculum design and project-based learning programs. Conclusion: Design thinking is a promising tool for improving student preparedness during secondary education. However, there are limited quantitative studies that have examined the direct link between design thinking and educational outcomes. Future research is needed to establish the effectiveness of implementing design thinking in the secondary education system and clarify the most promising applications.