Systems thinking, design thinking, computational thinking, and critical thinking

Christopher N. Blundell; Leanne Cameron; Michelle Mukherjee; Dung  Tran; Ben Zunica; Bronwyn Tregenza

doi:10.4324/9781003490715-4

Systems thinking, design thinking, computational thinking, and critical thinking

Christopher N. Blundell, Leanne Cameron, Michelle Mukherjee, Dung Tran, Ben Zunica, Bronwyn Tregenza

Macquarie School of Education

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

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Abstract

Systems thinking, design thinking, computational thinking, and critical thinking are used in and beyond education as approaches to problem-solving. Drawing on observations of how practitioners work, these approaches seek to translate experts’ processes into actionable strategies for learning and life in a complex world. This chapter provides an overview of each thinking approach, identifies the rationales for its use in K-12 education, and outlines research-informed approaches to develop it with K-12 students. It concludes by identifying the commonalities between the approaches and their emphasis on problem-solving as a mindset.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Creative technologies education
Subtitle of host publication	students as digital designers
Editors	Matt Bower, Belinda von Mengersen
Place of Publication	Abingdon, Oxon
Publisher	Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group
Chapter	4
Pages	44-58
Number of pages	15
ISBN (Electronic)	9781040396025, 9781003490715
ISBN (Print)	9781032785295, 9781032785288
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003490715-4
Publication status	Published - 2026

Bibliographical note

Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

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Systems thinking, design thinking, computational thinking, and critical thinking. / Blundell, Christopher N.; Cameron, Leanne; Mukherjee, Michelle et al.
Creative technologies education: students as digital designers. ed. / Matt Bower; Belinda von Mengersen. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group, 2026. p. 44-58.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

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Systems thinking, design thinking, computational thinking, and critical thinking

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