Assessing the Level of Design Thinking Awareness among Teachers: A Survey Study

Abstract Purpose: This paper examined the level of awareness among teachers about the concept of design thinking and investigated various challenges and opportunities for teachers and students. The main goals of this research are to enhance teachers' professional development, develop innovative and effective teaching methods, and foster a school culture of innovation, creativity, and experimentation, all of which should help improve student outcomes. Design/Methodology/Approach: The researcher selected 160 respondents (teachers) from various educational institutions in Pune District. The researcher used a self-structured scale for primary data collection, and the purposive sampling method was used. The Google Forms technique was used for data collection through 160 respondents from various colleges. Major Findings: Based on their demographic characteristics, the study's research revealed that there is a slight level of awareness regarding the concept of design thinking. The researcher discovered that art teachers had the least awareness of design thinking among all faculties. There was a small difference in awareness between male and female teachers. Additionally, teachers in urban areas were the most aware of design thinking, compared to those in semi-urban and rural areas. Practical Applications: This study will be helpful for teachers, students, and government policymakers in increasing the level of awareness about design thinking and identifying various challenges and opportunities in design thinking. At the same time, the presented research will be useful for how the use of design thinking in the education sector can be increased through awareness. Originality: The current study focused on design thinking and its level of awareness, perception and knowledge of the concept of design thinking among teachers of higher educational institutions in Pune district.