Development of an online learning platform in design thinking education through a design based research methodology

This study presents an in-progress online learning platform developed in the scope of the Erasmus+KA2 project T-CREPE (Textile Engineering for Co-creation Paradigms in Education) (t-crepe.eu) withthe aim to cultivate the Design Thinking mindset in higher education students. A case study was carriedout in four academic institutions in Belgium and Greece during the 2020-21 Spring semester. Theplatform was used by students (n = 260) as a self-learning tool. The aim of the case study was to test,validate and evaluate the effect of this tool in enhancing their learning experience. A Design BasedResearch (DBR) methodology was utilized for improving the platform with students’ feedback throughpre- and post-surveys, online in-depth interviews, and reflection reports. Students’ opinions that werecollected through these three methods were compiled on NVivo and the data was analyzed throughthematic analysis. The most essential properties needed for the development of an online learningplatform as mentioned by students, were: skill development, personalization, adjustability, ubiquity,communication and interaction. The findings of this study may be useful especially for the developers ofonline learning platforms and design educators interested in pedagogical innovation and unconventionallearning tools in the field of design.This study presents an in-progress online learning platform developed in the scope of the Erasmus+KA2 project T-CREPE (Textile Engineering for Co-creation Paradigms in Education) (t-crepe.eu) withthe aim to cultivate the Design Thinking mindset in higher education students. A case study was carriedout in four academic institutions in Belgium and Greece during the 2020-21 Spring semester. Theplatform was used by students (n = 260) as a self-learning tool. The aim of the case study was to test,validate and evaluate the effect of this tool in enhancing their learning experience. A Design BasedResearch (DBR) methodology was utilized for improving the platform with students’ feedback throughpre- and post-surveys, online in-depth interviews, and reflection reports. Students’ opinions that werecollected through these three methods were compiled on NVivo and the data was analyzed throughthematic analysis. The most essential properties needed for the development of an online learningplatform as mentioned by students, were: skill development, personalization, adjustability, ubiquity,communication and interaction. The findings of this study may be useful especially for the developers ofonline learning platforms and design educators interested in pedagogical innovation and unconventionallearning tools in the field of design.C