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Will China’s policymakers return to pragmatism and will the entrepreneurs strike a balance between the central control and market logic? In this analysis, Yuxi Nie explores the situation.
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In higher education, design thinking is often taught as a process. Yet design cognition resides in action and design practices. Dewey’s pragmatism offers a solid epistemology for design thinking. This paper describes a design research whereby Dewey’s inquiry served as the foundation for educating students. Three extensive educational case studies are presented whereby a design inquiry was introduced and became part of the curricula. It was found that students and coaches struggled with doubts experienced as a result of the co-evolution of problem and solution, means and ends. Four coping mechanisms were observed: (1) focus on problems, risking analysis paralysis; (2) focus on creative problem-solving, risking unsubstantiated design; (3) focus on means, risking fixation; and (4) focus on future ends, risking hanging on to a dream. By establishing a joint practice and a community of learnersthrough show-andshare sessions, the students establish solid ground.
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To bridge the gap between design practice and academic design research, no off the shelf methods exist for practitioners to contribute to the body of literature. Practitioners face epistemological challenges that disable generalizing their expertise. Dewey’s pragmatism recasts these challenges empowers practitioners to conduct design research trough experimentation and reflection on outcomes. A methodology, based on Dewey's inquiry, is presented and tested, demonstrating it offers rigor for practitioners to contribute to the academic debate. At the same time the method somewhat lacked the volatility practice demands, requiring adaptation.
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