Skip to content
1981
Design Education: Interdisciplinary Perspectives
  • ISSN: 2055-2106
  • E-ISSN: 2055-2114

Abstract

Engineering students need creative thinking skills to achieve innovation. This study focuses on ameliorating the creative process in engineering design units with the purpose of getting more creative and innovative engineering design solutions from students and better preparing them for industry and real-life conditions. It is suggested that engineering should use design pedagogy as a model for ameliorating creativity. The research is carried out using qualitative investigation. The study used triangulation to collect data about engineering educators’ approach, understanding and beliefs about creativity using observational research, a survey and in-depth interviews both with students and with educators. The study used an interpretive approach for data analysis by following the levels of understanding in an organizational culture. Three main results drawn from this work are as follows: (1) Engineering educators should understand the practice of creativity in an educational context. (2) Engineering educators need to value creativity as an important part of engineering design. (3) The discipline needs to value creativity as a core part of the curriculum.

The findings suggests that enriching creativity in engineering education is not feasible until engineering instructors comprehend and embrace the use of creativity in the classroom. This article specifically explores ways of integrating creativity in engineering design processes that took place in a mechanical engineering undergraduate programme – with an expectation that the research can be used as an exemplar for other engineering disciplines to learn from. This study is an important step, with a holistic approach, in suggesting creativity and creative thinking be inherent and an integral part of every engineering curriculum.

© 2022 Intellect Ltd
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1386/dbs_00040_1
2022-12-22
2026-04-23

Metrics

Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Abdekhodaee, A., and Steele, C.. ( 2012;), ‘ The development of creativity in engineering students. ’, AAEE 2012 Conference, Melbourne, 3–5 December.
     [Google Scholar]
  2. ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) ( 2020), http://www.abet.org. Accessed 25 August 2020.
  3. Almetov, N.,, Zhorabekova, A.,, Sagdullayev, I.,, Abilhairova, Z., and Tulenova, K.. ( 2020;), ‘ Engineering education: Problems of modernization in the context of a competence approach. ’, International Journal of Engineering Pedagogy, 10:6, pp. 7–20, https://doi.org/10.3991/ijep.v10i6.14043. Accessed 8 November 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  4. Amabile, T. M.. ( 1983;), ‘ The social psychology of creativity: A componential conceptualization. ’, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 45:2, pp. 357–76.
     [Google Scholar]
  5. Anderson, G. T.. ( 2013;), ‘ An approach to teaching innovation processes in engineering. ’, Interdisciplinary Engineering Design Education Conference, Santa Clara, CA, USA, 4–5 March.
     [Google Scholar]
  6. Arciszewski, T.. ( 2014;), ‘ Future of engineering education. ’, Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers – Management, Procurement and Law, 167:1, pp. 46–59, https://doi.org/10.1680/mpal.12.00028. Accessed 8 November 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  7. Badran, I.. ( 2007;), ‘ Enhancing creativity and innovation in engineering education. ’, European Journal of Engineering Education, 32:5, pp. 573–85, https://doi.org/10.1080/03043790701433061. Accessed 8 November 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  8. Berglund, A.,, Klasen, I.,, Hanson, M., and Grimheden, M.. ( 2011;), ‘ Changing mindsets: Improving creativity and innovation in engineering education. ’, International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education, London, 8–9 September.
     [Google Scholar]
  9. de Bono, E.. ( 1993), Serious Creativity: Using the Power of Lateral Thinking to Create New Ideas, Des Moines, IA:: The McQuaig Group;.
     [Google Scholar]
  10. Burns, R. B.. ( 1997), Introduction to Research Methods, , 3rd ed.., South Melbourne:: Addison Wesley Longman;.
     [Google Scholar]
  11. CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate) ( 2016), http://www.cdio.org. Accessed 8 November 2022.
  12. Craft, A.. ( 2003;), ‘ The limits to creativity education: Dilemmas for the educator. ’, British Journal of Educational Studies, 51:2, pp. 113–27.
     [Google Scholar]
  13. Cropley, D.. ( 2006;), ‘ The role of creativity as a driver of innovation. ’, 2006 IEEE International Conference on Management of Innovation and Technology, Singapore, 21–23 June.
     [Google Scholar]
  14. Cropley, D.. ( 2015a), Creativity in Engineering: Novel Solutions to Complex Problems, New York:: Elsevier;.
     [Google Scholar]
  15. Cropley, D.. ( 2015b;), ‘ Promoting creativity and innovation in engineering education. ’, Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity and the Arts, 9:2, pp. 161–71, https://doi.org/10.1037/aca0000008. Accessed 8 November 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  16. Daly, S. R.,, Adams, R. S., and Bodner, G. M.. ( 2012;), ‘ What does it mean to design? A qualitative investigation of design professionals’ experiences. ’, Journal of Engineering Education, 101:2, pp. 187–219, https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2168-9830.2012.tb00048.x. Accessed 8 November 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  17. Daly, S. R.,, Mosyjowski, E. A., and Seifert, C. M.. ( 2014;), ‘ Teaching creativity in engineering courses. ’, Journal of Engineering Education, 103:3, pp. 417–49, https://doi.org/10.1002/jee.20048. Accessed 8 November 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  18. Engineers Australia ( 2022), http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au. Accessed 20 September 2022.
  19. Engineers Australia ( n.d.;), ‘ Engineering in the Australian curriculum. F–year 10 and senior secondary. ’, https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sites/default/files/2022-06/engineering-in-the-australian-curriculum.pdf. Accessed 26 September 2022.
  20. Felder, R. M.. ( 2006;), ‘ Teaching engineering in the 21st century teaching model: How bright is that?. ’, Chemical Engineering Education, 40:2, pp. 110–13.
     [Google Scholar]
  21. Foley, B. A.. ( 2014;), ‘ Reforming engineering training by introducing quality fundamentals into the undergraduate curriculum: The case study of University of Adelaide. ’, Qualcon 2014, Adelaide, 19–23 October.
     [Google Scholar]
  22. Fry, R.. ( 2006;), ‘ Defining the obvious: Explaining creativity and design thinking to nondesigners. ’, Industrial Designers Society of America , http://www.idsa.org/sites/default/files/nec06_fry_richard.pdf. Accessed 8 November 2022.
  23. Genco, N.,, Holtta-Otto, K.,, and Seepersad, C. C.. ( 2012;), ‘ An experimental investigation of the innovation capabilities of undergraduate engineering students. ’, Journal of Engineering Education, 101:1, pp. 60–81.
     [Google Scholar]
  24. Guilford, J. P.. ( 1950;), ‘ Creativity. ’, American Psychologist, 5:9, pp. 444–54.
     [Google Scholar]
  25. Henderson, C.,, Beach, A., and Finkelstein, N.. ( 2011;), ‘ Facilitating change in undergraduate STEM instructional practices: An analytic review of the literature. ’, Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 48:9, pp. 952–84.
     [Google Scholar]
  26. Howard, T.,, Culley, S., and Dekoninck, E.. ( 2007;), ‘ Creativity in the engineering design process. ’, International Conference on Engineering Design, Cites des Sciences et de l’Industrie, Paris, 28–31 July.
     [Google Scholar]
  27. Ibrahim, B.. ( 2012;), ‘ Exploring the relationships among creativity, engineering knowledge, and design team interaction on senior engineering design projects. ’, Ph.D. thesis, Fort Collins, CO:: Colorado State University;.
     [Google Scholar]
  28. Johri, A.,, Chen, H. L., and Lande, M.. ( 2009;), ‘ Creativity and cognition in engineering design: Theoretical and pedagogical issues. ’, 7th ACM Conference on Creativity and Cognition, Berkeley, CA, 26–30 October.
     [Google Scholar]
  29. Lim, C.,, Lee, J., and Lee, S.. ( 2014;), ‘ A theoretical framework for integrating creativity development into curriculum: The case of a Korean engineering school. ’, Asia Pacific Education Review, 15:3, pp. 427–42, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-014-9334-9. Accessed 8 November 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  30. Lin, Y.-S.. ( 2011;), ‘ Fostering creativity through education: A conceptual framework of creative pedagogy. ’, Creative Education, 2:3, pp. 149–55, https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2011.23021. Accessed 8 November 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  31. McMasters, J. H., and Ford, S. D.. ( 1990;), ‘ An industry way of enhancing design education. ’, Engineering Education, 80:5, pp. 526–29.
     [Google Scholar]
  32. Mokhtar, W., and Duesing, P.. ( 2008;), ‘ Using research and applied projects to enhance learning in mechanical engineering design courses. ’, International Journal of Learning, 15:9, pp. 265–73.
     [Google Scholar]
  33. Mumford, M. D.,, Hunter, S. T., and Byrne, C. L.. ( 2009;), ‘ What is the fundamental? The role of cognition in creativity and innovation. ’, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 2:3, pp. 353–56.
     [Google Scholar]
  34. Nepal, K. P.. ( 2013;), ‘ Comparative evaluation of PBL and traditional lecture-based teaching in undergraduate engineering courses: Evidence from controlled learning environment. ’, International Journal of Engineering Education, 29:1, pp. 17–22.
     [Google Scholar]
  35. Panthalookaran, V.. ( 2011;), ‘ A model curriculum for creativity instruction integrated into the bachelor program of engineering professional development. ’, in Proceedings of the ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Volume 5: Engineering Education and Professional Development, Denver, CO, 11–17 November, New York:: ASME;, pp. 15–20.
     [Google Scholar]
  36. Punch, K.. ( 2009), Introduction to Research Methods in Education, London:: Sage;.
     [Google Scholar]
  37. Razzouk, R., and Shute, V.. ( 2012;), ‘ What is design thinking and why is it important?. ’, Review of Educational Research, 82:3, pp. 330–48, https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654312457429. Accessed 8 November 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  38. Rhodes, M.. ( 1961;), ‘ An analysis of creativity. ’, The Phi Delta Kappan, 42:7, pp. 305–10.
     [Google Scholar]
  39. Rugarcia, A.,, Felder, R. M.,, Woods, D. R., and Stice, J. E.. ( 2000;), ‘ The future of engineering education: Part 1: A vision for a new century. ’, Chemistry Engineering Education, 34:1, pp. 16–25.
     [Google Scholar]
  40. Santamarina, J. C.. ( 2003;), ‘ Creativity and engineering: Education strategies. ’, Proceedings of the International Conference/Workshop on Engineering Education Honoring Professor James T.P. Yao, College Station, TX, USA, 21–22 February.
     [Google Scholar]
  41. Schein, E. H.. ( 1984;), ‘ Coming to a new awareness of organizational culture. ’, Sloan Management Review, 25:2, pp. 3–16.
     [Google Scholar]
  42. Schweitzer, J.,, Lars, G., and Leanne, S.. ( 2016;), ‘ The design thinking mindset: An assessment of what we know and what we see in practice. ’, Journal of Design, Business and Society, 2:1, pp. 71–94, https://doi.org/10.1386/dbs.2.1.71_1. Accessed 8 November 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  43. Silva, A.,, Fontul, M., and Henriques, E.. ( 2015;). ‘ Teaching design in the first years of a traditional mechanical engineering degree: Methods, issues and future perspectives. ’, European Journal of Engineering Education, 40:1, pp. 1–13, https://doi.org/10.1080/03043797.2014.903227. Accessed 8 November 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  44. Tekmen-Araci, Y., and Mann, L.. ( 2019;), ‘ Instructor approaches to creativity in engineering design education. ’, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, 233:2, pp. 395–402, https://doi.org/10.1177/095440621875879. Accessed 8 November 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  45. Tracy, S. J.. ( 2013), Qualitative Research Methods, London:: Wiley-Blackwell;.
     [Google Scholar]
  46. van Driel, J. H.,, Bulte, A. M. W., and Verloop, N.. ( 2007;), ‘ The relationships between teachers’ general beliefs about teaching and learning and their domain specific curricular beliefs. ’, Learning and Instruction, 17:2, pp. 156–71, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2007.01.010. Accessed 8 November 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  47. de Vere, I.. ( 2009;), ‘ Developing creative engineers: A design approach to engineering education. ’, International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education, University of Brighton, Brighton, 10–11 September.
     [Google Scholar]
  48. de Vere, I.. ( 2013;), ‘ New directions in engineering education: Developing creative and responsible product design engineers. ’, Ph.D. thesis, Melbourne:: Swinburne University of Technology;.
     [Google Scholar]
  49. de Vere, I.,, Kuys, B., and Melles, G.. ( 2010;), ‘ A comparative evaluation of aptitude in problem-solving an engineering education. ’, International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway, 2–3 September.
     [Google Scholar]
  50. West, R. E.,, Tateishi, I.,, Wright, G. A., and Fonoimoana, M.. ( 2012;), ‘ Innovation 101: Promoting undergraduate innovation through a two-day boot camp. ’, Creativity Research Journal, 24:2&3, pp. 243–51, https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2012.677364. Accessed 8 November 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  51. White, C.,, Wood, K., and Jensen, D.. ( 2012;), ‘ From brainstorming to C-sketch to principles of historical innovators: Ideation techniques to enhance student creativity. ’, Journal of STEM Education, 13:5, pp. 12–25.
     [Google Scholar]
  52. Williams, A.,, Ostwald, M., and Askland, H. H.. ( 2010;), ‘ Assessing creativity in the context of architectural design education. ’, in Proceedings of Design Research Society, Montreal, Universite de Montreal, 7–9 July.
     [Google Scholar]
  53. Wrigley, C., and Mosely, G.. ( 2022), Design Thinking Pedagogy: Facilitating Innovation and Impact in Tertiary Education, New York:: Routledge;.
     [Google Scholar]
  54. Wrigley, C., and Straker, K.. ( 2015;), ‘ Design thinking pedagogy: The educational design ladder. ’, Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 54:4, pp. 374–85, https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2015.1108214. Accessed 8 November 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  55. Yerrick, R.,, Parke, H., and Nugent, J.. ( 1997;), ‘ Struggling to promote deeply rooted change: The “filtering effect” of teachers’ beliefs on understanding transformational views of teaching science. ’, Science Education, 81:2, pp. 137–59.
     [Google Scholar]
  56. Zemke, S. C., and Zemke, D. L.. ( 2013;), ‘ Cognitive hindrances to learning mechanical design. ’, International Journal of Engineering Education, 29:2, pp. 450–58.
     [Google Scholar]
  57. Zhou, C.. ( 2012a;), ‘ Fostering creative engineers: A key to face the complexity of engineering practice. ’, European Journal of Engineering Education, 37:4, pp. 343–53, https://doi.org/10.1080/03043797.2012.691872. Accessed 8 November 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  58. Zhou, C.. ( 2012b;), ‘ Integrating creativity training into problem and project-based learning curriculum in engineering education. ’, European Journal of Engineering Education, 37:5, pp. 488–99, https://doi.org/10.1080/03043797.2012.714357. Accessed 8 November 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  59. Tekmen-Araci, Yasemin, and Kuys, Blair. ( 2022;), ‘ Ameliorating creativity in engineering education: Educator perspective. ’, Journal of Design, Business and Technology, 8:2, pp. 211–30, https://doi.org/10.1386/dbs_00040_1
     [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/10.1386/dbs_00040_1
Loading
  • Article Type: Article
Keyword(s): creative thinking; creativity; education; educator approach; engineering design; teaching and learning

Most Cited Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a success
Invalid data
An error occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test