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ZENODO
Published
2025-10-29
Section
Articles
How to Cite
How to Cite
INTEGRATION OF PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING AND DESIGN THINKING IN TEACHING PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
Valiyeva Nargiza
Lecturer, Department of Education, Kokand University, Uzbekistan
Keywords: problem-based learning, design thinking, primary education, creative skills, 21st-century competencies.
Abstract
This study examines the integration of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and Design Thinking (DT) in primary education as a means to cultivate students’ critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration skills—competencies essential for 21st-century learning. Conducted among 120 students from three primary schools in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, during the 2024–2025 academic year, the research employed a mixed-method design including classroom observations, creative thinking tests, and teacher interviews. The integrated PBL-DT model encouraged learners to address authentic real-world challenges through empathy, ideation, prototyping, and testing phases.
The results reveal that students engaged in PBL-DT activities demonstrated a 26% improvement in academic performance and a 31% increase in creative problem-solving ability compared to peers taught through traditional instruction. Teachers reported greater student motivation, persistence, and teamwork, while students expressed higher confidence in presenting ideas and designing innovative solutions. The findings highlight that combining PBL and DT not only strengthens conceptual understanding but also fosters sustainable learning attitudes aligned with Uzbekistan’s 2023–2025 National Curriculum Reform.
Overall, the study concludes that PBL-DT integration offers a powerful pedagogical strategy for transforming early education into a more engaging, future-ready, and creativity-driven learning environment.
References
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3. Liu, J., & Chou, C. (2024). Integrating Problem-Based Learning and Design Thinking in Elementary Classrooms. International Journal of Early Education Studies, 18(2), 45–63.
4. Ministry of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan. (2024). Competency-Based Education Framework. Tashkent.
5. Stanford d.school. (2022). Design Thinking for Educators Toolkit (3rd Ed.). Stanford University.
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