Constructionism Meets Design Thinking: Reflection-in-Action During Digital Game Design

In this paper we discuss the reflective practices that Vocational High School students expressed while designing digital games following the Design Thinking Methodology. These games, as outcomes of Design Thinking projects, addressed issues from daily or professional life. The study was implemented within the framework of the European research project Exten(D.T.)2 (https://extendt2.eu/), which focuses on the integration of new technologies in Design Thinking educational activities to develop 21st-century skills. The results of the study showed that Design Thinking methodology significantly encouraged students to pose reflective questions and make intuitive reflective summaries while the feedback activities stimulated their critical thinking and reflection.