Abstract
This paper documents our experience with transdisciplinary project-based modules and their impact on students’ mindsets. In our institute, a new creative school in 2020 merged eight creative disciplines (e.g., animation, games, music, marketing communications) into one common diploma. After going into their respective specialisations, students take two project-based modules in year two and three where they work on client projects in groups consisting of students from different creative disciplines. A design-led creative process is used to facilitate cross-learning, deepening and integration of their skills. The project-based modules were designed to cultivate a design thinking mindset in students. We conducted a longitudinal study that tracked the same cohort of students across two years. Thirteen dimensions of the design thinking mindset (Dosi et. al, 2018) were identified to be important for creative students. Students answered a survey at three points: i. before their year two project module, ii. after the year two module, and, iii. after the year three project module. The survey findings revealed that students developed in their design thinking mindset in the year two module, especially in the dimensions of being comfortable with ambiguity, embracing risk, and mindfulness of the process. The growth in their mindsets plateaued in year three, suggesting that one module is sufficient to help students develop the appropriate design thinking mindsets. Students’ qualitative feedback further highlighted how beneficial it was to work with students from different specializations. Our experience with transdisciplinary project-based modules in a common creative diploma would be useful to other design educators.
Presenters
Clarice SimTeaching & Learning Mentor, Media, Arts, and Design School, Singapore Polytechnic, Singapore Mark Lu
Deputy Director, Media, Arts & Design School, SINGAPORE POLYTECHNIC, Central Singapore, Singapore
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Transdisciplinary Education, Design Thinking, Student Mindsets, Common Curriculum
