Integrating Design Thinking into Mathematics Education: a Systematic Review in the Context of Secondary School
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47526/3107-3123.419Keywords:
design thinking, mathematics education, secondary school, systematic literature review, SpringerLink, Scopus.Abstract
The main objective of this study is to explore the application of design thinking in mathematics education in secondary schools and to review the existing body of literature on the subject. The study examines the effectiveness of design thinking within the context of mathematics instruction. In addition, key terms such as design thinking, mathematics education, mathematics, secondary school, and primary school were used throughout the research.
A systematic literature review was chosen as the research method, enabling the collection and analysis of relevant information. This review was conducted using reputable academic databases such as SpringerLink and Scopus, ensuring the completeness and quality of the research. To present the findings, the PRISMA protocol was applied, which facilitates the effective analysis of scientific publications.
Between 2017 and 2024, a total of 1123 articles were retrieved from SpringerLink and Scopus using selected keywords. Through content analysis, duplicate and irrelevant studies were excluded, resulting in 23 articles selected for detailed examination. The limited number of studies on the application of design thinking in secondary education highlights the novelty of the approach and the insufficient level of scientific exploration in this field.
In Kazakhstan, design thinking is a relatively new educational approach that is only beginning to be integrated into the national education system. In recent years, select schools and pedagogical universities have attempted to implement design thinking in the teaching process through pilot programs. However, the number of methodological studies based on this approach remains limited, indicating a need for more in-depth theoretical and practical research.
The results underscore that design thinking plays a significant role as a key method for engaging secondary school students. This approach is essential for enhancing the competitiveness of the national education system in the era of globalization and serves as an effective tool for developing students’ mathematical thinking and personal growth.
References
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7. Xin Y.P. The effect of a conceptual model-based approach on ‘additive’ word problem solving of elementary students struggling in mathematics // ZDM – The International Journal on Mathematics Education. – 2019. – Vol. 51, №1. – P. 139–150. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-018-00953-2
8. Isaksen S.G., Akkermans H.J. The creative climate: A leadership lever for innovation // The Journal of Creative Behavior. – 2011. – Vol. 45, №3. – P. 161–187. https://doi.org/10.1002/jocb.26
9. Van Hooijdonk M., Mainhard T., Kroesbergen E.H., Van Tartwijk J. Creative problem solving in primary education: Exploring the role of fact finding, problem finding, and solution finding across tasks // Thinking Skills and Creativity. – 2020. – Vol. 37. – Article 100665. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2020.100665
10. Freiman V., Polotskaia E., Savard A. Mathematical modeling and creativity: Theoretical framework, pedagogical practices, and research perspectives // Proceedings of the 10th Congress of the European Society for Research in Mathematics Education (CERME10). – 2017. – P. 1336–1343.
11. Noh N., Jeong S., Shin S. Trends in design thinking within mathematics education: Focus on creative and mathematical thinking // Thinking Skills and Creativity. – 2021. – Vol. 40. – Article 100820. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2021.100820
12. Painter E. Design thinking in mathematics education contexts // Education Journal. – 2018. – Vol. 7, №6. – P. 123–130.
13. Severino P., Petrovich F., Mercanti-Anthony A., Fischer K. Design-based innovation in math learning: An integrated approach to develop thinking skills // Journal of Innovative Learning. – 2021. – Vol. 5, №2. – P. 44–58. https://doi.org/10.5296/jil.v5i2.17654
14. Pendleton Julian A., Brown D Design Thinking as a Fundamental Literacy for the 21st Century // Journal of Educational Innovation. – 2015. – Vol. 9, №2. – P. 45–53.
15. Plattner H., Meinel C., Leifer L. Design Thinking: Innovation lernen; Ideenwelten öffnen. – München: mi Wirtschaftsbuch, 2009. – 240 p.
16. Liu H. The Designer’s Self-Perception and Its Impact on Design Thinking // Design Studies. – 1996. – Vol. 17, №3. – P. 243–260.
17. Braha D., Reich Y. Topological Structures for Modeling Complex Engineering Design Processes // Research in Engineering Design. – 2003. – Vol. 14, №4. – P. 185–199.
18. Pavie X., Carthy J. Design Thinking in Transforming Products, Services, Processes and Strategies // International Journal of Innovation Management. – 2015. – Vol. 19, №1. – P. 1550008.
19. Kelley T., Kelley D. Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All. –New York: Crown Business, 2013. – 320 p.
20. Withell A., Haigh N. Developing design thinking expertise in higher education // DRS//Cumulus LearnXDesign 2013 Conference Proceedings. – 2013. – P. 160–167.
21. Cooper L., Higgins K. Integrating experiential and cognitive approaches in design thinking education: Kolb’s Four-Stage Theory applied // Journal of Design Education. – 2015. – Vol. 12, №2. – P. 45–52.
22. Oxman R. Thinking with a New Purpose: Think Maps as a pedagogical model for design thinking education // Design Studies. – 2004. – Vol. 25, №3. – P. 251–267.
23. Rauth I., Köppen E., Jobst B., Meinel C. Design Thinking: An Educational Model towards Creative Confidence // Proceedings of the First International Conference on Design Creativity (ICDC). – Kobe, Japan, 2010. – P. 117–122.
24. Sheer A., et al. Impact of design thinking pedagogy on student innovation, creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork in schools // Journal of Educational Innovation and Practice. – 2012. – Vol. 8, №1. – P. 23–34.
25. Fujita T., Kondo Y., Kumakura H., Kunimune S., Jones K. Spatial reasoning skills about 2D representations of 3D geometrical shapes in grades 4 to 9 // Mathematics Education Research Journal. – 2020. – Vol. 32. – P. 235–255.
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