IA40320 Creativity & Innovation for Entrepreneurial Educators

Academic Year 2024/2025

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MODULE IS PROGRAMME BASED. THIS MODULE IS NOT OPEN TO OTHER UCD STUDENTS.

The aim of this module is to help students access their innate ability for creative thinking.

In this first module of the programme students will be introduced to the IA Way of Experiential Learning. They can expect a range of activities, group work and team projects which are carefully sequenced to build individual creative confidence, before exploring how to harness collective creativity of diverse groups.

A key feature of experiential learning is reflection and as such, students are requested to engage in regular reflective activities and consider opportunities to apply new learning to their contexts.

There are two key learning themes explored in this module:

Creative Mindset: Students will explore how they think about, and approach challenges. Supportive, structured (and playful) exercises will provide the stimulus for exploring limiting beliefs and personal narratives related to creativity. Students will gain confidence to engage in creative activities, step outside comfort zones, and learn through intentional iteration.
Collaborative Creativity: Evolution of innovative ideas in multi-disciplinary teams introduces teamwork in creative contexts. Openness to new ideas and diverse perspectives can lead to creative conflict. Several approaches to supporting effective creative collaboration are introduced and explored to give participants an understanding of their own skills in relation to teamwork and ideas for how to lead group work for their own students.

Students will be introduced to a range of tools, techniques and frameworks throughout this module which support creative thinking and collaborative creativity. These include:

Ideation Techniques
Decision Making Tools
Design Thinking Framework
Reflection Models
Group Conflict Management Techniques


This module is run as part of the Professional Certificate / Diploma in Creativity & Innovation in Education.

At the UCD Innovation Academy, we are a group of Educator Practitioners with extensive real-world experience as academics, educators, business and social entrepreneurs, tech thinkers, creative professionals and design thinking practitioners.

We take an action-oriented approach to learning, with a combination of individual, group and class tasks and activities, including discussions, presentations and reflection. All of our teaching is grounded in academic rigor, but our focus is on learning by doing in a real-world context.

www.innovators.ie

**Enrolment in an Innovation Academy module means a commitment to active participation and engagement, which necessitates attendance at all scheduled classes.**

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this module participants should have learned the following:

Creative Mindset: Be open to seeing new and alternative perspectives. Have confidence in their own creative abilities

Collaborative Creativity: Appreciate the importance of psychological safety in group situations.
Embrace the power of diversity to enhance collaborative efforts and apply a range of techniques for divergent or convergent thinking appropriate to the context, for example, in Design Thinking

This module forms part of the overall programme which has the Programme Learning outcomes of:
Community of Practice: Contribute own experience, expertise and support to help others.
Draw upon the experience, expertise and support of others to enhance own practice

Communication: Communicate ideas effectively using verbal, visual, or written methods.
Express ideas and opinions in a clear, concise, and engaging way.
Adapt communication style so it is appropriate for the audience.

Reflective Practice: Engage in regular self-reflection to make sense of and generate personal meaning from experiences.
Use reflective practice as part of the learner's own teaching practice.

Participants will also have further developed their engagement with creative and innovative processes from an alternative angle, whilst constantly developing their networks and building on their interpersonal and presentation skills.

Indicative Module Content:

Students will be given reading materials, video content and powerpoint slides to guide them through this 5 day module.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

6
Small Group

25
Conversation Class

5
Practical

4
Specified Learning Activities

30
Autonomous Student Learning

30
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
All Innovation Academy modules take a ‘learning by doing’ approach, combining individual, and group activities and tasks including presentations, discussion and reflection. Guest speakers will share their own experiences and lessons learnt. 

• Active/Task-Based Learning
• Peer And Group Work 
• Reflective Learning
• Enquiry & Problem-Based Learning
• Student Presentations
• Case Study Learning
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Reflective Assignment: Following completion of the module the learner will submit a Self Reflection & Realisation Report Week 1 Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes

100

 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be given to students upon requests. This will include feedback based on their participation during the module and their deliverables.

Name Role
Mr Colman Farrell Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Duc Minh Vu Lecturer / Co-Lecturer