The use of Design Thinking Method in applied research to integrate the library in distance learning platforms with a learning object

Abstract

This work aimed to integrate the most in-demand library services and resources in distance education platforms through the creation of a learning object for the Natural Sciences Faculty, at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. For this object, the Design Thinking Method was applied, which consists of the following steps: empathizing, defining, ideating, prototyping, and testing. The research approach was mixed. Some information was gathered from participatory observation and netnography, as qualitative methodologies, to identify the needs of the academic community. In addition, the visits statistics to the Centro de Información y Tecnología web pages were considered from the quantitative perspective to contrast them with the findings of the qualitative part. The study found that the resources and services with the greatest demand were journals, databases, remote access, and interlibrary loan. Identifying needs early on helps design solutions that satisfy the user. When applying the Design Thinking Method and, in its first step, empathy considered the library services needs from the beginning. This helped the rest of the steps of the method to be responsive to the needs and to make an informed decision. The product, a learning object, responded to the needs of the Natural Sciences Community, but can be reusable by other organizations by making the necessary adjustments as needed.