Figure 1. The 4E principles: Experience, Empathy, Exploration, and Evaluation.

Prof. Takumi Ohashi (Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering, School of Environment, Tokyo Tech) and Prof. Wei Liu (Beijing Normal University) who collaborated under the WRH program from December 2023 to February 2024, published a paper in Journal Frontiers in Education.

“Empathy Design Thinking: cultivating creative minds in primary education”
https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1376305

Abstract:
This research explores the application of an Empathy Design Thinking (EDT) curriculum within primary education, guided by the principles of Experience, Empathy, Exploration, and Evaluation, to examine its effect on fostering student creativity in a Chinese context. The curriculum was redesigned into a streamlined, modular format for ease of integration into existing educational frameworks. Findings demonstrate a positive impact on students’ creative thinking abilities, particularly in enhancing fluency and flexibility, with notable mentions of empathy’s vital role in the educational process. This study aligns with global educational trends emphasizing the need for empathetic and comprehensive learning experiences, offering insights into the potential of EDT to enrich creative education for primary students, educators, curriculum developers, and policymakers.

Links:
–【WRH】IRFI welcomes newly appointed Prof. Wei LIU to Tokyo Tech! (News)
– Tokyo Institute of Technology, OHASHI-Lab