IA40310 Creative Thinking & Innovation

Academic Year 2022/2023

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 participants to access their innate ability for independent creative thinking and innovation in its broadest sense, as well as to help develop an entrepreneurial mindset in exploring ideas in a multidisciplinary team environment. This module is delivered through activity-based exercises and interactive challenges at both individual and group level.

The module encompasses three primary areas of skill development and learning, as follows:

• Developing confidence in creative thinking. The objective is to introduce students to the inherent risk of failure in creative thinking and how to learn through prototyping and iteration. Participants are encouraged to use various sources of inspiration in recognizing opportunities and considering where ideas come from
• Evolution of innovative ideas in multidisciplinary teams introduces team working in a creative context. Here, openness to new ideas and passion for ideas presented come into creative conflict. Several approaches to teamwork are introduced and explored to give participants an understanding of their own skills in relation to teamwork
• How to translate ideas into value. We draw upon the Design Thinking framework in learning how to work through a process of understanding your user/customer, generating ideas, prototyping, and testing. Consideration is also given to the importance of being able to clearly define value and pitch an idea.

**This module is run as part of the Professional Diploma in Creativity, Innovation and Leadership. Enrolment on this module and programme means a commitment to active participation and engagement, which necessitates full attendance at all scheduled classes**

Note on Class Size: Due to the interactive nature of our programmes - we aim for a class size of no more than 36 students to ensure a quality experience for all. We also require a minimum of 16 participants to ensure enough people for teamwork and a dynamic classroom environment. On very rare occasions, if we have less than 16 registered students we will aim to offer students the opportunity to join another class.

Note on COVID-19: All our courses will be run in accordance with good practice, University and Government guidelines around COVID-19. This module is intended to be taught in-person but we may switch to an online format in light of updated guidelines or circumstances, in which case we will update registered students as early as possible. If this should happen, please don't be concerned - our online experiences are equally engaging.

A note on UCD Innovation Academy - visit www.innovationacademy.ie

At the UCD Innovation Academy, we are a group of Educator Practitioners with extensive real-world experience as academics, 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. Our focus is on ‘learning by doing’ in a real-world context. Classes include a combination of individual and team tasks and activities, along with discussions, presentations and reflection.

www.innovationacademy.ie

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion, participants should be able to:

• Generate innovative ideas and know how to approach their subsequent selection for further development.
• Understand the structures and theoretical tools that enable efficient team work, in order to convert ideas into value.
• Confidently recognise, cultivate and apply creative and entrepreneurial thinking in their own discipline and appreciate its value in other arena.
• Understand the fundamentals of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

5

Small Group

25

Conversation Class

5

Practical

5

Specified Learning Activities

30

Autonomous Student Learning

30

Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
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
Incompatibles:
IA40360 - Creative Thinking (Online)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: Online and Offline Challenges and Exercises Throughout the Trimester n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes

30

Assignment: Reflection Report or a video or creative component equivalent Throughout the Trimester n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes

30

Attendance: This module requires active participation and engagement, which necessitates attendance at ALL scheduled classes. (80% attendance is required to pass this component) Throughout the Trimester n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes

40


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 request. This will include feedback based on their participation throughout the module and their deliverables.

Name Role
Ms Fiona Martin Tutor
Anh Nguyen Quoc Tutor