research overview
- The challenge and responsibility to create and implement a new two-year, direct-to-work Industrial Design (ID) program with the inclusion of necessary programs like engineering, manufacturing, and business for the community college environment is a daunting and complex task. Preparing students for the 21st century work environment requires a broad knowledge base of design, engineering, manufacturing, idea generation and making skills, creative problem solving skills, and a growth, global mindset. 21st century skills for workplace success is a popular term and has its origins from the National Academy of Sciences report regarding their forecast of necessary skills to work in the 21st century. Tony Wagner (2008) summarizes the 21st century skills to seven fundamental skills: critical thinking and creative problem solving, collaboration, adaptability, initiative, effective communication, analysis of data, and curiosity and imagination. The ID profession and supporting pedagogies address these seven core skills and are an ideal guideline for the introduction and development of 21st century work skills for students. In addition to the seven fundamental skills, the ID curriculum also addresses the concerns of globalization, introduction of technology into daily culture, human-centered design, and the need to be adaptable to our ever changing complex world. Considering the above requirements and conditions, a new type of classroom learning environment and educator will need to be developed that focuses on scientific inquiry, multi-disciplinary collaboration, project and team management, and creative making through a studio-based learning environment.