Effects of enhancing the design thinking abilities of preschoolers by using a three dimensional creative arts activites organizing with loose parts concept
Abstract:
The purposes of this research were to: (1) study the effectiveness index of lesson plans using three-dimensional creative arts activities organized with the loose parts concept, and (2) compare the design thinking abilities of preschool children before and after the experiment. The research participants consisted of 20 preschoolers aged 4-5 years. Each 45-minute experimental session 30 consecutive times. The research tool is a three dimensional creative arts activities organizing with loose parts concept were implemented through four main phases: 1) a warm-up and problem-definition scenario, 2) exploration and goal-setting, 3) implementation of activities and creation of artwork, and 4) summary and reflection. The research instrument used was a performance rubric for the preschoolers design thinking abilities with 5 components: 1) empathize, 2) define, 3) ideate, 4) prototype, and 5) test. Statistical analyzed using an effectiveness index, mean, standard deviation, and t-test. The major findings were as follows: 1) the effectiveness index of the lesson plans was equal to 0.7099, indicating that the participants showed a 70.99 percent improvement in their design thinking abilities; and 2) the design thinking abilities of preschoolers after the experiment were significantly higher than before the experiment both overall and in individual areas at the .05 level of significance. The results of this research indicate that using a three-dimensional creative arts activities organized with the loose parts concept can enhance the design thinking abilities of preschoolers