Differences between the discerning and opportunistic mind-sets in design learning
Year: 2017
Editor: Anja Maier, Stanko Škec, Harrison Kim, Michael Kokkolaras, Josef Oehmen, Georges Fadel, Filippo Salustri, Mike Van der Loos
Author: Hamat, Basyarah; Eisenbart, Boris; Schoormans, Jan; Badke-Schaub, Petra
Series: ICED
Institution: 1: Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands; 2: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia
Section: Design Education
Page(s): 235-244
ISBN: 978-1-904670-97-1
ISSN: 2220-4342
Abstract
Design learning can be improved by understanding the differences between individual characteristics of students and its connection with their learning processes and outcomes. This paper focusses on the differences between discerning and opportunistic mind-sets. 91 students from industrial, product or automotive design courses participated in a quasi-experiment where they were required to generate solutions for a design problem, answer a Q&A survey and fill in a questionnaire. The obtained data were analysed using qualitative and quantitative metrics. We found evidence of individual characteristics, processes and outcomes that differentiate the discerning and opportunistic mind-sets. Based on these findings the paper proposes and discusses potential implications for design education.
Keywords: Design education, Design learning, Early design phases, Design learning mind-sets