Barriers to Fostering the Critical Thinking Skills in Interior Design Education: An Empirical Study of Interior Design Lecturers’ Perception

Authors

  • Norhayati Kassim College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Seri Iskandar Campus, Perak Branch, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia
  • Nur Maizura Ahmad Noorhani College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Nor Lisa Sulaiman Department of Engineering Education, Faculty of Technical and Vocational, Tun Hussein Onn University of Malaysia, 86400 Johor, Malaysia
  • Ibrahim Nazem Mahmoud Ghadi Arab Omani Training Institute, Muscat, Al-Wateyah, Rumailah Building, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
  • Zulkfili Zainal Abidin Reno and Rent Brothers Sdn Bhd, Bandar Baru Klang, 41150 Klang, Selangor, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v22i2.1581

Keywords:

Critical thinking, Critical Thinking Skills, Interior Design Education, Instructors' Perception Barriers

Abstract

Teaching Critical Thinking (CT) is an essential skill, particularly for university students. This study explores faculty members’ shared experiences on the barriers to fostering CT skills in Interior Design Education (IDE). Using a qualitative research design, data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 17 Interior Design Lecturers (IDLs). The findings identified three (3) key themes of barriers hindering the development of CT skills in undergraduate IDE. The study recommends strategies to enhance CT development, including empowering students, providing training for lecturers and students, revising the curriculum, and improving facilities and budgets to address student and faculty challenges.

Author Biographies

Norhayati Kassim, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Seri Iskandar Campus, Perak Branch, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia

Norhayati Kassim is PhD Student from the College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, has a research interest in Design Education. Currently working as a lecturer at the School of Interior Architecture, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Perak. She can also be contacted via email at hayati84@uitm.edu.my

Nur Maizura Ahmad Noorhani, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

Nur Maizura Ahmad Noorhani, PhD is senior lecturer at School of Architecture and Interior Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA has expertise includes Interior Design, Interior Design Project Management, Project Management Competency, Interior Design Professional Practice, Interior Design Syllabus, Curriculum and Program, Interior Design knowledge, skills and training. She can be contacted at nmaizura@uitm.edu.my

Nor Lisa Sulaiman, Department of Engineering Education, Faculty of Technical and Vocational, Tun Hussein Onn University of Malaysia, 86400 Johor, Malaysia

Nor Lisa Sulaiman, PhD Associate Professor in the Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Malaysia. Her expertise in social science research includes critical thinking, curriculum and instruction, metacognition and TVET education. She can be reached at norlisa@uthm.edu.my.

Ibrahim Nazem Mahmoud Ghadi, Arab Omani Training Institute, Muscat, Al-Wateyah, Rumailah Building, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

Ibrahim Nazem Mahmoud Ghadi, Ph.D. Arab Omani Training Institute, Muscat, Oman. His expertise are related to critical thinking, research methodology and curriculum development. He can be reached at bobghadi@yahoo.com.

Zulkfili Zainal Abidin, Reno and Rent Brothers Sdn Bhd, Bandar Baru Klang, 41150 Klang, Selangor, Malaysia

Zulkefli Zainal Ariffin, Director at Reno and Rent Brothers Sdn Bhd. His expertise is interior design, interior design construction and real estate management. He can be contacted at renoandrent.official@gmail.com.

References

Abrami, P. C., Bernard, R. M., Borokhovski, E., Wade, A., Surkes, M. A., Tamim, R., & Zhang, D. (2008). Instructional interventions affecting critical thinking skills and dispositions: A stage 1 meta-analysis. Review of educational research, 78(4), 1102-1134.

Adams, R., & Atman, C. (1999). Cognitive processes in iterative design behavior. FIE'99 Frontiers in Education. 29th Annual Frontiers in Education Conference. Designing the Future of Science and Engineering Education. Conference Proceedings (IEEE Cat. No.99CH37011, 1, 11A6/13-11A6/18 vol.1. https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE.1999.839114

Ahrari, S., Abu Samah, B., Bin Hassan, S. H., Wahat, N. W. A., & Zaremohzzabieh, Z. (2016). Deepening critical thinking skills through civic engagement in Malaysian higher education. Thinking Skills and Creativity. Vol. 22, 121-128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2016.09.009

Albadi, N., & Zollinger, S. W. (2021). Dominant learning styles of interior design students in Generation Z. Journal of Interior Design, 46(4), 49-65

Al-Ghadouni, A. M. (2021). Instructional approaches to critical thinking: An overview of reviews. Revista Argentina de Clínica Psicológica, 30, 132–138. https://doi.org/10.24205/03276716.2020.2020

Amin, A. M., & Adiansyah, R. (2018). Lecturers' perception on students' CT skills development and problems faced by students in developing their CT skills. Jurnal Pendidikan Biologi Indonesia, 4(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.22219/jpbi.v4i1.5181

Bağ, H. K., & Gürsoy, E. (2021). The effect of CT embedded english course design to the improvement of CT skills of secondary school learners. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 41, 100910.

Bezanilla, M. J., Fernández-Nogueira, D., Poblete, M., & Galindo-Domínguez, H. (2019). Methodologies for teaching-learning CT in higher education: The teacher's view. Thinking skills and creativity, 33, 100584.

Bibi, S., & Hanif, S. (2023). Exploring teacher educators' knowledge about critical thinking: A case from Pakistan. Australian Journal of Teacher Education (Online), 48(6), 16-36.

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Applied Qualitative Research in Psychology. Applied Qualitative Research in Psychology, 0887(2006). https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-35913-1

Burhanuddin, Azizah, U., & Ibrahim, M. (2019). Improving critical thinking skill of preservice chemistry teacher through writing assignment. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 1307, No. 1, p. 012018). IOP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1307/1/012018

CIDQ. (2019). Definition of Interior Design. 1–4. https://www.cidq.org/definition-of-interior-design.

Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2018). Research Method in Education (8th ed.). Routledge.

Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Fourth Edition. Sage publications.

Deutsch, R. (2020). Think Like An Architect: How to develop critical, creative and collaborative problem-solving skills. Routledge.

Dwee, C. Y., Anthony, E. M., Salleh, B. M., Kamarulzaman, R., & Kadir, Z. A. (2016). Creating Thinking Classrooms: Perceptions and Teaching Practices of ESP Practitioners. Procedia - Social and Behavioural Sciences, 232(April), 631–639. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2016.10.087

El-Daghar, K. (2020). CT and Collaborative Problem-Solving for Improving Education Performance – Case Study Thermal Retrofit to Ensure Health and Wellbeing of Historic Built Environment in Lebanon. International Journal of Environmental Science & Sustainable Development. https://doi.org/10.21625/essd.v5i1.716

Ennis, R. H. (1985). A Logical Basis for Measuring CT Skills (pp. 45–48).

Ennis, R. H. (1989). Critical Thinking and Subject Specificity: Clarification and Needed Research. Educational Researcher, 18(3), 4–10. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X018003004

Essalih, S., Ourahay, M., & Khzami, S. E. (2022). Perceptions and practices of science teachers for the development of CT through inquiry: a qualitative study of Moroccan primary schools. Education 3-13, 1-16.

Fadhlullah, A., & Ahmad, N. (2017). Thinking outside of the box: Determining students' level of critical thinking skills in teaching and learning. Asian Journal of University Education (AJUE), 13(2), 51-70.

Finken M, & Ennis, R. H. (1993). Illinois critical thinking essay test. Illinois critical thinking project. Champaign: University of Illionis.

Franklin, E. I., Iwu, C. G., & Dubihlela, J. (2022). Students' views regarding the barriers to learning critical thinking. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science, 11(4), 355-364.Goldsmith, R. E. (2013). Encouraging CT Skills Among College Students. June, 8–19.

Goldsmith, R. E. (2013). Encouraging Critical Thinking Skills Among College Students. June, 8–19.

Gunawardena, M., & Wilson, K. (2021). Scaffolding students' CT: A process not an end game. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 41, 100848.Raj, T., Chauhan, P., Mehrotra, R., & Sharma, M. (2022). Importance of CT in the education. World Journal of English Language, 12(3), 126-126.

Hamilton, J. G., & Klebba, J. M. (2011). Experiential learning: A course design process for critical thinking. American Journal of Business Education, 4(12), 1-12.

Hamzah, M. I., Zhaffar, N. M., & Razak, K. A. (2018). Barriers in Teaching CT in Islamic Education. 2350–2356. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2018.914175

Halpern, D. F. (2003). Thought & Knowledge: An Introduction to CT Fourth Edition (4th Edition). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates

Hussin, W. N. T. W., Harun, J., & Shukor, N. A. (2018). Problem based learning to enhance students critical thinking skill via online tools. Asian Social Science, 15(1), 14.

Ismail, F., Ibrahim, N., & Samat, N. (2017). Investigating the Implementation of Higher Order Thinking Skills in Malaysian Classrooms: Insights from L2 Teaching Practices., 9. https://doi.org/10.11113/SH.V9N4-2.1361

Ismail, N. M. (2023). Developing The Learning of Critical Thinking in Higher Education: A Case Study based on an International University in Egypt (Doctoral dissertation, The University of Liverpool (United Kingdom).

Khalid, L., Bucheerei, J., & Issah, M. (2021). Pre-Service Teachers' Perceptions of Barriers to Promoting CT Skills in the Classroom. SAGE Open, 11(3), 21582440211036094.

Lai, E. R. (2011). Critical Thinking: A Literature Review Research Report. Critical Thinking, June, 1–49.

Liu, S. H. (2020). Dialogue-based peer learning of educational topics in a university classroom. Learning and teaching, 13(2), 41-61.

Majlis Akreditasi & Pendidikan Senibina Malaysia (MAPS)(2013). LAM Policy and Procedure for Accreditation of Interior Design Programme (PPAID) (Vol. 01).

Merriam, S. B., & Tisdell, E. J. (2015). Qualitative Research: A Guide to Design and Implementation. San Francisco, CA: Wiley.

Raj, T., Chauhan, P., Mehrotra, R., & Sharma, M. (2022). Importance of CT in the education. World Journal of English Language, 12(3), 126-126.

Ramis, A. Al. (2018). Instructors' attitudes and perceptions toward CT: A case study of interior design instructors in Saudi Arabia Recommended Citation. Rizco, N. J. (2014). (Translated)Investigation of the Elements of CT in the Educational Process in the Jurisdiction of Architecture. 196–221.

Reed, J. H. (1998). Effect of a model for critical thinking on student achievement in primary source document analysis and interpretation, argumentative reasoning, critical thinking dispositions, and history content in a community college history course. University of South Florida.

Reynolds, S. W. (2016). Determining and Exploring Teachers' Perceptions on the Barriers to Teaching CT in the Classroom: A Survey Study. August 2016.

Saldana, J. (2016). The Coding Manual For Qualitative Researchers (Jai Seaman (Ed.); 3rd Edition).

Schafersman, S. D. (1991). An introduction to critical thinking. http://www.freeinquiry.com/critical-thinking.html

Singh, A., Singh, H. P., Alam, F., & Agrawal, V. (2022). Role of education, training, and E-learning in sustainable employment generation and social empowerment in Saudi Arabia. Sustainability, 14(14), 8822.

Snyder, L. G., & Snyder, M. J. (2008). Teaching CT and problem-solving skills. The Journal of Research in Business Education, 50(2), 90.

Tarasova, I. V. (2018, December). CT for architects. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering (Vol. 463, No. 4, p. 042046). IOP Publishing.

Terblanche, E. A. J., & De Clercq, B. (2020). Factors to consider for effective CT development in auditing students. South African Journal of Accounting Research, 34(2), 96-114.

Treado, C. (2018). Impact of Design Challenges Upon the Development of Critical Thinking Skills Within an Undergraduate Image Manipulation Course: A Mixed Method Action Research Study (Doctoral dissertation, University of South Carolina)

Downloads

Published

01-07-2025

How to Cite

Kassim, N., Ahmad Noorhani, N. M. ., Sulaiman, N. L. ., Mahmoud Ghadi, I. N. ., & Zainal Abidin, Z. . (2025). Barriers to Fostering the Critical Thinking Skills in Interior Design Education: An Empirical Study of Interior Design Lecturers’ Perception. Built Environment Journal, 22(2). https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v22i2.1581

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 2 (2025): Built Environment Journal

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Norhayati Kassim; Nur Maizura Ahmad Noorhani, Nor Lisa Sulaiman, Ibrahim Nazem Mahmoud Ghadi, Zulkfili Zainal Abidin

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International