Designing an effective educational toy: incorporating design-thinking in the design classroom

作     者：Houston, Natalie Manrique, Ferney Mo, Shi Ruoqian, Wang Wenjing, Ji Yuting, Lu 

作者机构：Department of Graphic Design Faculty of Architecture and Design Wenzhou-Kean University Zhejiang Province Wenzhou China 

出 版 物：《Discover Education》 (Discov. Educ.)

年 卷 期：2025年第4卷第1期

页      面：1-15页

主　　题：Design classroom Design-thinking Educational psychology Educational toy Innovation Iterative design 

摘      要：“Designing an effective educational toy is a research project that emerged from a teaching and learning course designed to facilitate creative engagement both inside and outside the classroom at Wenzhou-Kean University in China. This research study examines the incorporation of design thinking concepts in the development of an educational toy by graphic design students. Utilising the ‘Double Diamond Model of Design’, the research methodically progresses through the stages of observation, generation, prototyping, and testing to create a 3D letter-building set with the goal of improving children s educational experiences. The approach prioritises the integration of ideas through iterative design, taking safety into account, involving users, and focusing on instructional value. The key findings emphasise the effective implementation of design principles in developing a product that not only fulfils safety and educational requirements but also provides novel learning experiences. The essay continues by recommending the wider implementation of these concepts in the creation of educational toys to encourage improved learning outcomes and the development of skills in children. © The Author(s) 2025.