Design Thinking Approach in Teaching Physics

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of design thinking approach in teaching physics to Grade 8 students of Padre Vicente Garcia Memorial Academy, Inc. during the school year 2018-2019. It determined the students’ levels of performance in the pre-test and post-test in the experimental and control groups after which test results were compared. The development of students’ skills along the phases of design thinking such as empathizing, ideating, prototyping, and testing was likewise part of the study. Moreover, the level of students’ understanding and appreciation of the approach in learning physics concepts was determined. Research output as based from the findings was an instructional guide utilizing design thinking approach to enhance students’ understanding about physics concepts. The findings revealed that levels of students’ performance in the pre-test were comparable but differed in the post-test indicating that design thinking approach positively affected the students’ performance. Generally, there was strong concurrence that the phases of design thinking approach developed varied skills among students. In addition, design thinking as an approach in learning physics was well-understood and appreciated. From the findings, an instructional guide utilizing design thinking approach integrating its phases was developed to serve as a tool in conducting interactive classes in physics that will engage students in design challenges. It was recommended that the proposed instructional guide be used to enhance the teaching of physics concepts to Grade 8 students. Also, educators may explore innovative strategies that would cater to the needs of 21^st century learners.