IA40330 Entrepreneurial Mindset for Educators

Academic Year 2024/2025

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

***All UCD Innovation Academy modules are delivered online in the 2020/21 Academic Year. Classes will run from 9.30am –4.30pm each day with a combination of live online classes, self-directed learning and group activities. See https://www.innovators.ie/undergraduate-electives/ for more info and testimonials from our students.***


This module focuses on the importance of education in the promotion of more entrepreneurial attitudes and behaviours and refers to the challenge of stimulating entrepreneurial mindsets in young people.The concepts of Entrepreneurial Thinking & Innovation are explored in a way that these concepts can be developed as educational tools in the classroom. There is now clear evidence from a societal perspective that skills such as creativity, innovative and entrepreneurial thinking contribute to peoples well-being and to democratic societies. The link between creativity in education and economic and societal success is strong, According to the OECD creativity and critical and entrepreneurial thinking are key skills for complex, globalised and increasingly digitised economies and societies.

This module aims to introduce participants to the mindsets and skills necessary to inspire entrepreneurial thought and action at the personal level and amongst student cohorts. The module introduces core concepts central to the development of entrepreneurial ideas from initial idea to launch such as opportunity generation and development, iteration and prototyping and idea validation. The concept and process of Design Thinking is brought into the approach to the main project on this module, The Festival of Education (FoE). The FoE project requires the participants to work in teams to firstly understand a need in educational change and then work through this need using empathy and coming together at the end of the week in a Festival style presentation of the ideas generated by the team. The FoE is a highlight of the overall programme and brings an invited audience with guest speakers and panel discussion from key educational leaders.

Module objectives include:

• Identifying how to bring design thinking, entrepreneurial mindsets, and experiments from across the globe to the classroom
• Exploring leadership and how to effect change in educational institutions
• Developing the ability to apply new teaching methodologies and approaches to learning.
• Creating a more innovative learning environment.

The module draws on a number of key techniques, tools and methodologies around entrepreneurial thinking and innovation. Some of these will include Sarasvathy’s effectuation, design thinking, disruptive innovation, the use of business canvases towards education and the adoption of the entrepreneurial mindset. Learners will work through the commercial development of ideas and will be will be expected to develop projects by using these techniques, working in teams to test ideas and prototype solutions. The module also considers ways of triggering entrepreneurial thinking within an educational institution. Generic foundations of teaching and learning, including motivation, evaluation and review will be explored.

This module offers a carefully constructed, challenge-based learning experience that will contribute to the development of an entrepreneurial mindset for education. We will explore the concept of an entrepreneurial mindset, and its application to driving innovation in education. This includes:
Reframing problems as opportunities to create value in the future
Willingness to move forward with a decision despite inevitable uncertainty and challenges
Ability to engage with others to progress an opportunity
Intentional iteration based on feedback
Students are given the opportunity to explore a particular area of education that interests them in greater depth during this module. Recent topics have included artificial intelligence, teacher training and development, engaging learners and inclusive education.
Working in groups, they will develop innovative ideas to address complex and nuanced issues. This module culminates in the Festival of Education where students practise influencing others and building a movement for change. Inspiration and support will come from guest speakers from Ireland and abroad.


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 rigour, 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 be able to:

• Develop a broad knowledge and interpretation of entrepreneurial activity and an understanding of its role in the context of their teaching and student learning.
• Demonstrate an understanding of general pedagogical principles as they relate to entrepreneurial activity
• Develop understanding of established methods and techniques for triggering entrepreneurial thinking
• Identify key learning from the experience of group dynamics and motivation.
• Demonstrate the ability to design and deliver their own style of educational experience for generating entrepreneurial thinking in a multidisciplinary environment
• Further develop their engagement with entrepreneurial processes from an alternative angle, whilst constantly developing their networks and building on their interpersonal and presentation skills.

Cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset for education contexts and beyond:
Reframe problems as opportunities to create value in the future
Willingness to move forward with a decision despite inevitable uncertainty and challenges
Ability to engage with others to progress an opportunity
Intentional iteration based on feedback

This module contributes to the overall programme learning outcomes:

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.



Indicative Module Content:

Students will be introduced to models, concepts and frameworks through readings, video content, powerpoint slides and guest speakers. There will be team based workshops and mentoring to bring the student teams to the final day of the module which culminates in the Festival of Education Team Presentaions.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Small Group

15
Conversation Class

5
Practical

5
Specified Learning Activities

40
Autonomous Student Learning

20
Online Learning

20
Total

105
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
Learning Recommendations:

This module is the 2nd module in The Professional Certificate / Diploma in Creativity & Innovation for Education


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 this module learners will submit a Reflections & Realisations report (Written, Audio or Video) Week 2 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 throughout the module and their deliverables.

Open - David Price
The New Education: How to Revolutionize the University to Prepare Students for a World In Flux - Cathy Davidson
World Class Learners: Educating Creative and Entrepreneurial Students - Yong Zhou
Name Role
Mr Colman Farrell Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Duc Minh Vu Lecturer / Co-Lecturer