The Degree of Use of Design Thinking Skills in Developing Educational Practices Among Faculty Members at King Khalid University: An Analytical Study

The Degree of Use of Design Thinking Skills in Developing Educational Practices Among Faculty Members at King Khalid University: An Analytical Study

Article Number: e20256019 | Available Online: January 2026 | DOI: 10.22521/edupij.2026.21.19

Naif Mohammed Jabli , Ahmed Sadek Abdelmagid , Sarra Saad Saad AL Omair , Noura Amer Asiri , Reema Ahmed Assiri , Aisha Mohammed Alalami

Full text PDF | 655 | 261

Abstract

Background/purpose. Higher education has undergone rapid transformations, requiring innovative models to enhance teaching quality. Design thinking offers a creative, learner-centered framework for addressing educational challenges. This study analyzed the extent to which King Khalid University faculty members employ design thinking skills in their teaching practices, examined the influence of gender, academic qualification, and training courses, and explored obstacles to implementation.

Materials/methods. The study employed a descriptive-analytical method. A questionnaire covering four domains—empathy and discovery, problem definition and interpretation, idea generation, and testing and evaluation—was administered to 246 faculty members. Data were analyzed using SPSS to calculate means and identify statistical differences.

Results. Findings indicated a generally weak application of design thinking skills across all dimensions, with overall usage rated low. No significant differences emerged by gender or academic qualification. However, variations appeared in favor of faculty who had never attended training courses or had attended only a few. Results also highlighted limited awareness of the university's Design Thinking Center and multiple challenges hindering adoption, including insufficient knowledge, organizational and time constraints, and lack of experience and training.

Conclusion. The study concluded that the integration of design thinking into faculty teaching practices remains limited, restricting quality and innovation in higher education. Recommendations included strengthening the Design Thinking Center's role, expanding applied training programs, fostering a culture of innovation, and embedding design thinking into faculty development initiatives.

Keywords: Design thinking, educational practices, university education, academic training, institutional challenges.

References

Abd Al-Amin. (2024). Teaching practices of physical education teachers at the preparatory stage according to demographic variables in Babil Governorate. Al-Qadisiyah Journal for Physical Education Sciences, 24(4), 68–75.

Abd Majeed, I. (2023). Design thinking and its relationship to scientific practices among high school biology teachers [Master's thesis] – University of Al-Qadisiyah. https://qu.edu.iq/?p=58002

Abdelmagid, A. S., Jabli, N. M., Al-Mohaya, A. Y., & Teleb, A. A. (2025). Integrating Interactive Metaverse Environments and Generative Artificial Intelligence to Promote the Green Digital Economy and e-Entrepreneurship in Higher Education. Sustainability 2025, 17, 5594. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17125594

Al-Anzi, & Al-Omari. (2017). The effectiveness of a training program based on design thinking in developing creative thinking skills among gifted students in Tabuk. International Specialized Educational Journal, 6(4), 68–81.

Al-Attal, M. H., Al-Anzi, I. G., & Al-Ajmi, A. S. M. (2021). The role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education from the point of view of students at the Faculty of Basic Education in the state of Kuwait. Journal of Studies and Educational Research, 1(1), 30–64.

Al-Harkan, & Al-Nuwaiser. (2023). Designing a virtual art exhibition using design thinking strategy. Journal of Architecture, Arts, and Humanities, 40(40), 467–485.

Al-Mashhadani. (2021). Design thinking among students at institutes of fine arts. Journal of Sustainable Studies, 3(3), 261–285.

Al-Qahtani, A. (2025). The reality of using design thinking strategy from the perspective of social studies teachers in Riyadh. Arab Journal of Educational and Psychological Sciences, 94, PP 47–48.

Alsaleh, N. (2020). The effectiveness of an instructional design training program to enhance teachers' perceived skills in solving educational problems. Educational Research and Reviews Educ. Res. Rev. 15(12), PP. 751-763.

Capone, R., Pace, G., & Tortoriello, F. S. (2017). Mathematics and Literature in Secondary School: An interdisciplinary teaching proposal. Quaderni di Ricerca in Didattica (Mathematics), 27, 39.

Dam, R., & Siang, T. Y. (2020). What is design thinking? Interaction Design Foundation. https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/design-thinking.

Damouche, O. (2021). Design thinking as a method for managing transformations in libraries and information institutions: An anthographic survey of the public reading network in western Algeria. Alf Journal of Language, Media, and Society, 8(3), 369-394.

Demosh, A. (2017). The design thinking approach in libraries: Opportunities for application in Algerian public libraries. Maghreb Journal of Documentation and Information, 26, 145–164.

Demosh, O. (2021). Design thinking as a “transformation management approach” in libraries and information institutions: An ethnographic survey study of the public reading network in western Algeria. Alif Journal of Language, Media, and Society, 8(3), 369–394.

Dumbuya, E. (2024). Curriculum Development for Lifelong Learning: Role of Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills. The IUP Journal of Soft Skills, 18(4), 5–10. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5018480

Grots, A., & Creuznacher, I. (2016). Design thinking: process or culture? A method for organizational change. In Design Thinking for Innovation: Research and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26100-3_13.

Hadiyanto, H., Failasofah, F., Armiwati, A., Abrar, M., & Thabran, Y. (2021). Students’ practices of 21st century skills between conventional learning and blended learning. Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice, 18(3), https://doi.org/11.18.3.7/0.53761

Hamdi, M., & Al-Shahrani, H. (2023). The effect of designing an e-training environment based on integrating design thinking and participatory web applications in developing knowledge production skills among special education teachers. Jazan University Journal of Human Sciences, 12(1). 102-133.

Henriksen, D., Richardson, C., & Mehta, R. (2017). Design thinking: A creative approach to educational problems of practice. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 26, 140–153. https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=3028489

Hussein, A. (2024). Design thinking and its relationship to scientific literacy and strategic knowledge among handball students. Journal of Physical Education Sciences, 17(5), 1182–1195.

Jabareen, Y. (2021). The Level of Design Thinking Use in Teaching Among Science Teachers in Jenin Governorate [An-Najah National University]. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11888/17877

Jawad, T., & Munshid, D. (2023). Design thinking skills among mathematics students in colleges of education. Journal of the College of Basic Education, 29(118). https://www.iasj.net/iasj/article/268987

Jedie, S. (2024). Design thinking among faculty members at Anbar University. Anbar University Journal of Humanities, 2(2), 1139-1163.

Liedtka, J. (2015). Perspective: Linking design thinking with innovation outcomes through cognitive bias reduction. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 32(6), 925–938. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpim.12163

Liedtka, J., & Ogilvie, T. (2011). Designing for growth: A design thinking tool kit for managers. Columbia University Press.

Mahmoud, A. (2020). Contemporary trends in design thinking in light of the philosophy of creativity. Journal of Architecture, Arts, and Humanities, 19, 549–559.

Noh, S. C., & Abdul Karim, A. M. (2021). Design thinking mindset to enhance education 4.0 competitiveness in Malaysia. International journal of evaluation and research in education, 10(2), 494-501. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v10i2.20988

Othman, M. S., & Musa, N. A. (2021). Effectiveness practice teaching higher order thinking skills (HOTS) in subject Islamic Education primary school. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 11(4), 1162–1176. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v11-i4/8858

Panke, S. (2019). Design Thinking in Education: Perspectives, Opportunities and Challenges. Open Education Studies, 1(1), 281-306. https://doi.org/10.1515/edu-2019-0022

Paolini, A. (2015). Enhancing Teaching Effectiveness and Student Learning Outcomes. The Journal of Effective Teaching, 15(1), 20–33.

Retna, K. S. (2015). Thinking about “design thinking”: A study of teacher experiences. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, 36, 5–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2015.1005049

Saleh, I. M. H. (2023). Cultural requirements for the success of educational practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Educational and Psychological Sciences, 17(5), 1–83.

Samuel, S., & Farrer, H. (2025). Integrating the PDCA cycle for continuous improvement and academic quality enhancement in higher education. Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education, 17(2), 115–124. https://doi.org/10.32674/yzwgmy25

Announcement

EDUPIJ Citation Metrics

EDUPIJ News!