Design thinking is a method that seeks to solve problems in a creative way, often used by designers to solve their clients’ needs.  Therefore, applying this method in education would involve making students capable of developing an action plan that allows them to solve a given problem. This is intended to enable students to think for themselves, analyze, solve problems, share ideas with others, think critically, and draw useful conclusions. In other words, to form critical, creative, independent, and restless minds. 

With this method, the teacher ceases to be a mere transmitter of content, since they are in charge of designing the learning experience for their students. This method also makes it possible to determine with greater precision the individual deficiencies of each student; and to sow in their educational experience the creation and innovation towards the satisfaction of others, which later becomes symbiotic. 

The process of this method is flexible, open, and focused on experimentation. Thus, it also instills in students commitment, active participation, motivation, teamwork, and puts the student at the center of learning at all times; giving them the possibility of making decisions and gradually shaping the activity. 

Stages of Design Thinking 

1. Empathy and understanding: The classroom needs to be a place full of empathy, where students can understand the challenge they are being given in order to start coming up with ideas. Empathetic leadership is required, that is, putting oneself in the shoes of the other to see beyond and, thus, understanding the needs and circumstances of others. The teacher must take into consideration the interests and needs of the students. 
2. Define and devise: The student must know how to choose useful information and then discuss and propose probable solutions. The most important thing is to develop the ability to distinguish the most important from the secondary, to be able to see things from a different perspective. On the other hand, valid prototypes must be designed and the most relevant one chosen. During this stage, students need to develop their creativity and imagination.  
3. Prototype and evaluate: The selected idea is tested to verify its usefulness. If not, other options should be sought. It involves building, testing, and iterating. Students must be able to make their proposed solutions effective and accepted by their peers. The idea is for students to analyze and reflect on the results they obtain and to evaluate the entire learning process.

In order to apply this methodology in the classroom, the following factors are required: 

In short, design thinking gets students to think about a problem from an unconventional point of view to create critical minds. Over the years, this methodology has become more and more widely used, with teachers customizing their own methods in a more flexible way to adapt them to their own contexts. 

To learn more about methods to innovate education, the International Iberoamerican University (UNIB) in Puerto Rico offers several university programs such as the Master in Education with a specialty in Organization and Management of Educational Centers. 

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Sources: Design thinking: What is it and how can you apply this innovative methodology in the classroom? Design thinking: What it is and how to introduce it into your classes