The social impact of design thinking for the classroom

Purpose The purpose of this study is to show design thinking is an integrative method of problem solving used in manufacturing, communications, architecture, engineering, urban planning and other disciplines. It is also used to address organizational challenges, including traditional management concerns, such as overcoming the common problem of disciplinary fragmentation and isolation. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents background on the theory of design thinking along with a discussion of how it can be used to tackle many societal and business problems. It also provides a case study for use in the classroom and community, along with additional details on learning objectives, implementation “nuts and bolts” and suggestions for adapting it to a wider range of classroom contexts. Findings Design thinking applies critical thinking to solve business problems. Presented in this paper is a practical way to use it in the classroom. Originality/value While a substantial literature about design thinking exists, this paper fills a gap in the literature by explaining how students can be trained in its methodology.