Htqe.2025.20

https://doi.org/10.22364/htqe.2025.20 | 291-304 | PDF

Teachers’ Opinions on the Feasibility Of Implementing the Design Process in the Field Of Technology in Primary Schools

Aina Strode¹, Egita Potaša¹
¹Riga Technical University Rezekne Academy

Abstract
The goal of the subject ‘Design and Technology’ is to foster an understanding of the creation of products and services in students, taking into account human needs and applying the basic principles of design thinking. During the learning process, students are given the opportunity to practically create products, services, and environmental solutions that are useful to themselves and society, plan the design process, use safe techniques, tools, and digital devices, choose suitable materials, and create a healthy working environment. The design process involves the selection and implementation of methods for developing design thinking, which, in turn, is the responsibility of the teachers. The aim of the study is to analyze teachers’ opinions on the feasibility of the design process in primary schools. A self-designed questionnaire for teachers was used as a research tool. Data processing was performed using the SPSS program, employing the following methods: Mann–Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis test, correlation, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and frequency analysis. The research sample consisted of 30 teachers from the first stage of primary education who teach the subject ‘Design and Technology’. The results of the questionnaire revealed that the teacher’s knowledge and experience, the creative environment, safe work equipment, and the age stage, as well as the chosen methods, play an important role in the successful implementation of the design thinking process. If any of these aspects are not well-planned, teachers most often face difficulties and negative emotions. The development of design thinking in relation to the implementation of the design process in schools can be effectively guided by a teacher who understands the specifics and importance of this type of thinking in the student’s development.

Keywords: design and technology, design process, design thinking, primary school, survey, teacher

In: Human, Technologies and Quality of Education, 2025. Proceedings of Scientific Papers = Cilvēks, tehnoloģijas un izglītības kvalitāte, 2025. Rakstu krājums.  Ed. L. Daniela. Riga: University of Latvia, 2025. 698 p.
ISBN 978-9934-36-461-7 
https://doi.org/10.22364/htqe.2025