The New Face of Thinking in Education: Bibliometric Map of Design Thinking

In the age of information and technology, students are expected to develop skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, and creative solutions. Design thinking stands out as an effective approach to develop these skills in education. Design thinking is a method that encourages empathy, creativity, collaboration, and user-oriented solutions and increases student participation in education. As educators are expected to continue applying and researching this approach, this study aims to analyze the current status and development trends of design thinking in the field of education, to reveal the research dynamics, cooperation networks, and impact areas in the field. The bibliometric analysis method was used to provide a holistic perspective in a data-based, numerical, and objective way. Within the scope of the research, the studies published in the ‘Education-Educational Research’ category with the keyword ‘design thinking’ in Web of Science between 2010-2024 were analysed. The bibliometric analysis of research on design thinking in education (DOD) between 2010 and 2024 shows that this field has become an essential subject of study. In these studies led by the USA and China, themes such as creativity, higher education, and experiential learning come to the fore. The concentration of studies in specific journals and by a limited number of prolific authors creates opportunities for new researchers. Citation data emphasise the impact and importance of TOD research on educational practices and outcomes. In addition, the findings of the research may be useful in developing new perspectives and approaches for future studies on design thinking and in examining the existing literature and previous studies from a broader perspective.