How can design thinking impact teaching?

How can design thinking impact teaching?

Teachers from Singapore’s secondary schools, junior colleges, polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education were schooled on design thinking techniques at a two-day workshop earlier this week.

The program is part of a global competition by Samsung called Solve for Tomorrow, where students submit ideas that leverage technology to solve social issues in their local community. The competition will culminate in $180,000 worth of prizes on 12 October.

Design thinking is a process for creative problem solving and has become synonymous with the age of transformation. The methods and processes involved have been applied to countless industries – the workshop thus offers teachers techniques that are applicable in a classroom setting.

In addition, it equips teachers with the skills to mentor students to create innovative solutions for the competition. In its third year, this year’s competition focuses on issues such as active ageing, healthcare, social integration and the environment.

“One of the main things I learnt is how to craft and ask good questions,” said secondary school teacher Humairah Tulmiti. “Only when we better understand the people we're trying to help can we also better understand how to help them.”

The workshop was held in collaboration with Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and Singapore Polytechnic (SP). Besides receiving a guide to the design thinking process, teachers also received a certificate from SP's Professional and Adult Continuing Education Academy.

“By attending this workshop, I hope to help my students be more mindful when solving problems and therefore come up with better solutions in the future,” an associate lecturer at Republic Polytechnic, Julie Loh told the Straits Times.