This presentation describes Goikolab, a media innovation laboratory of Mondragon University based on the Design Thinking methodology

1. Proposal to embed creativity and
innovation-­driving techniques into media
studies’ curricula: GOIKOLAB,
a media innovation laboratory based on
the Design Thinking methodology

2. Creativity in a changing media landscape
Digital revolution, change of the communication paradigm
and need for a constant recycling process (Zuberogoitia, Arana &
Bidegain, 2013;;;; Shute & Becker, 2010)
Increasing importance of creativity and innovation (European
Commision, 2011;; AACCU, 2007;; Vidal, 2004) within the creative industries
(McRobbie, 2015;; Müller & Truby, 2009)
Different definitions and measurements of creativity (Jackson et
al., 2012;; Robinson, 2010;; Keung, Cheng & Belinda, 2006;; Kearney, 2004;; Stenberg & Lubart,
1999)

3. Need for creativity in Communication
Studies
Universities questioning their teaching methods (Nobell &
Bengoa, 2013;; AACCU, 2007)
Need to embrace creativity and innovation in the curricula
(Corazza & Agnoli, 2016;; Razzouk and Shute, 2012;; Gorzka, 2012;; Ferrari, Cachia
& Punie, 2009)
Introducing creativity and innovation in Communication
Studies (Gauntlett, 2015;; Nobell & Bengoa, 2013;; Valencia, Crespo & Gómez,
2013;; Sánchez Cid & Pueo, 2012)

4. WHAT
IS
What is Design Thinking?
Is a human-­centered methodology or
mindset that combines what’s:
● desirable for users
● technologically feasible
● viable from a business
perspective
in order to create innovative solutions.

5. Applying Design Thinking at University
Different definitions and models of Design Thinking (Donar,
2011;; Rauth et al., 2010;; Melles, 2010) and it is becoming increasingly
used in higher education (Withell & Haigh, 2013;; Donar, 2011;; Melles, 2010)
Design Thinking, a methodology for all disciplines and
professions (Zuberogoitia, Arana & Bidegain, 2013;; Razzouk & Shute, 2012;; Steinbeck,
2011;; Lindberg, Noweski & Meinel, 2010;; Platter, 2010)

6. Design Thinking: fostering creativity and innovation
skills
Design Thinking courses improve student expertise (Withell & Haigh,
2013) and make their creative confidence increase (Kelley & Kelley,
2013;; Rauth et al., 2010;; Carroll et al., 2010)
Design Thinking helps students to understand failure as part of
the learning process, to create more effective designs
(Gestwicki & McNely, 2012) and to move into innovative processes
(Kangas, Seitamaa-­Hakkarainen & Hakkarainen, 2013)
Multidisciplinarity improves student understanding and fosters
the ability to think in new ways (Lugmayr, Stockleben & Zou, 2013;; Carroll et
al., 2010)

7. WHAT
ISGOIKOLAB

8. GOIKOLAB
● Placed at HUHEZI, Mondragon University
a Media innovation laboratory
● Based on Design Thinking
● Aimed to enhance students’ creativity and
innovation skills
● Degree Final Projects are developed

9. Each group consists of:
4th year students
(Media Studies degree,
LEINN, EKOMU...)
2-­3 1academic
tutor
tutor from the
organization
...
1

10. Research question
How does a design thinking
based innovation media laboratory
affect in the creativity and
innovation skills of
Media Studies’ undergraduate
students while carrying out their
Degree Final Projects?

11. First two editions completed
Academic years
2013-­2014
2014-­2015
2nd
term
Feb-­March
Part-­time
April-­June
Full-­time

12. Qualitative research techniques I
Production analysis approach (Moon, Thomas, 2013)
Students required to produce 3 different kinds of writing:
A 1.500
word reflection
about their
expectations
A 2.000
word final
reflection
Regular
blog posts
of 500
words

13. with
participant
students
Focus Group In depth interviews
with
academic and
organization tutors
Qualitative research techniques II

14. Positive
experience
for all the
participants
Preliminary results
Validity of the
learning by doing
approach

15. Preliminary results
Multidisciplinarity
could not be
implemented
in most of the
cases

16. Perceived need for
further
training
Preliminary results
was not applied
as it should have
been
Design
Thinking

17. Preliminary results
WHETHER THEY
FELT MORE
CREATIVE OR
INNOVATIVE
STUDENTS
FAILED TO SAY

18. Need for a stronger definition of
creativity & innovation
Preliminary results
within the laboratory

19. Need for a tool of measurement of creative
confidence and innovation for use in higher
education
Preliminary results

20. Further research
Design Thinking Creativity Test (DTCT)

21. Further research
Design Thinking
Creativity Test
(DTCT)
Focus
groups /
in-­deth
interviews
&
Production
Analysis
Reliable data
of media
students’
development
(if any) in their
creative skills
Ongoing PhD (2015/16 -­ 2017/18)

22. Eskerrik asko
Muchas gracias
Thank you very much
Merçi beaucoup
Moltes gràcies
Beñat Flores
Txema Egaña
bflores@mondragon.edu
tegana@mondragon.edu