Pedagogy and Practice
Developing the DREAM Instructional Innovation Framework from the Interplay of Cognitive Flexibility, Growth Mindset, Transdisciplinary Thinking, and Academic Resilience in Design-Based Biology Education
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Joelash Honra
Addressing the longstanding challenge of bridging theoretical learning with practical applications is essential in education. To tackle this, educators must adopt innovative instructional approaches, integrating real-world experiences into learning. This study investigated how Design-Based Biology Education (DBE) influences students' cognitive flexibility, growth mindset, and transdisciplinary thinking, alongside exploring the moderating role of academic resilience, and the predictive relationship between transdisciplinary thinking and cognitive flexibility and growth mindset among biology students. Conducted with 141 senior high school students in Quezon City, the study employed a three-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design, dividing students into DBE, Problem-Based Learning (PBL), and conventional teaching groups. Data collection involved Likert scales (Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, Mindset Theory Scale, Filipino Learners’ Academic Resilience Scale, Transdisciplinary Thinking Scale) and qualitative methods (student journals, focus groups, observational notes). Analysis methods included Levene’s test, ANOVA, Tukey’s HSD, moderated and simple linear regression, supported by thematic analysis of qualitative data. Results highlighted DBE's significant enhancement of cognitive flexibility, growth mindset, and transdisciplinary thinking, with PBL also improving transdisciplinary thinking. Academic resilience moderated DBE's effects on outcome variables, while transdisciplinary thinking positively predicted cognitive flexibility and growth mindset. The study identified five core features forming the DREAM instructional framework: integrating design thinking with empathy, fostering resilience, promoting transdisciplinary projects, teaching growth mindset principles, and using authentic assessment. Implications include enhancing biology education through DBE and exploring its broader impacts on systems thinking, engagement, critical thinking, and metacognition. Future research should refine methodologies and explore diverse educational contexts to deepen understanding DBE's effects.
Wuxing and Shoe Design: An Exploration at the Bridge Between Novel Material Combinations and Chinese Culture
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Maurizio Vrenna, Yinxuan Zhou
Wuxing (Five Elements) is a conceptual scheme used in Chinese culture to explain many phenomena, including the interaction between internal organs, cosmology, and traditional medicine. The elements, called phases, are fire, water, wood, metal, and soil. Even though the Wuxing scheme is rooted in Chinese culture, modern-day generations are losing this knowledge and consider it an unappealing and unscientific approach. This research is an innovative exploration that combines traditional Chinese culture, novel material combinations, and shoe design. In collaboration with a well-known local shoe manufacturer, a group of product design students has been tasked to design a series of creative concept sneakers as part of their studio courses. Novel materials and eye-catching combinations have been used to interpret the meanings and concepts behind Wuxing. A team of experts has reviewed the prototypes, and given their cultural relevance, they are now displayed at the company's museum. This research exposes the importance of tinkering with materials in design education and attempts to make younger generations more concerned about the traditional intangible cultural heritage. Besides, given that Chinese and foreign professors led the research, it is also an outstanding case of international collaboration and cultural appreciation. The partnership between academia and the private sector demonstrated how academic institutions can adapt their teaching to support local companies while preparing students to become competent designers. The course's pedagogical relevance interests design practitioners and academics who operate in Asia – but not only – and are approaching similar topics.
Student-Community Engagement and Graphic Design Education: A Case Study of Logo Designs for Thai Local Pottery Products
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Wichanat Tiwasing
This study explores the branding development of locally-produced pottery in Ban Mo village, Maha Sarakham province, Thailand. It involved a student-community engagement project in which 22 graphic design students from Mahasarakham University collaborated with the Ban Mo community to create unique logos promoting local pottery products. A questionnaire was distributed to 40 community members to evaluate the key factors in branding development and identify preferable logos. The findings show that Logo 9 was the most preferred, featuring a simple design with the graphic identity of local products. The study highlights the mutual benefits of collaboration between local communities and students, whereby students gained real-world experience in developing knowledge and skills and personal growth, and communities benefited from the creativity offered by the students. Finally, the study suggests that such student-led collaborations could promote local products and help in shaping graphic designers’ roles and impacts in the business world.
