Open AccessUsing design thinking as an appr Using design thinking as an approach to creative and communicativ e and communicative engagement in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom
Author(s) -
Tim Cleminson,
Neil Cowie
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of university teaching and learning practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.258
H-Index - 8
ISSN - 1449-9789
DOI - 10.53761/1.18.4.7
Subject(s) - creativity , psychology , communicative competence , creative thinking , mathematics education , competence (human resources) , critical thinking , pedagogy , foreign language , communicative language teaching , task (project management) , language education , social psychology , management , economics
Design thinking (DT) could provide a viable method to develop 21st-century skills in English as Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms; however, its potential is not clearly understood. To explore this potential, two Japanese university teachers developed a DT course in which students built a creativity measure and wrote academic reflections. Student work displayed creative thinking, insight, and language play. Survey data revealed correlations between DT, student enjoyment, confidence communicating, and thinking flexibly. In conclusion, DT can facilitate collaborative engagement and creative thinking, however, time to develop on-task communication and a focused approach to report writing may be necessary to support understanding and communicative competence.