Understanding Design Thinking as an Innovative Approach in Engineers in Society Course from Civil Engineering Student’s Perceptions

Abstract

Design Thinking (DT) is a robust framework to identify and solve various human problems creatively. It offers a systematic solution to train engineering students in critical and creative thinking to solve complex engineering problems. The DT method is integrated within the Engineers in Society (EIS) course to develop problem-solving skillset among the final year engineering students. This paper presents the understanding of DT towards achieving the program outcome related to Engineers and Society attribute for the final year civil engineering students taking the EIS as one of the culminating courses. Community problem-based learning (Com-PBL) was used as a teaching and learning method in the course where the students participated in a community project. The findings from the survey questionnaires responded by 165 indicate that most students demonstrated good understanding on the Design Thinking approach implemented in the course. It can be concluded that the DT approach is a good method to improve the cognitive learning domains in developing student attributes toward the understanding of complex engineering problem-solving in societal contexts. Overall, from a Continual Quality Improvement (CQI) perspective, this study is important to improve, develop and evaluate the teaching, learning and assessment methods adopted for engineering education.