Reference no: EM132358806 , Length: word count:5000
Creativity and Innovation Assignment -
Learning Outcomes -
Knowledge:
- Relate the impact of perception on thinking and concept development to innovative action.
- Identify a range of creative thinking tools and debate the application of these to the innovation and entrepreneurial process.
- Determine appropriate creativity and innovation strategies in a business setting.
- Assess the principles underpinning the impact of perception on thinking, concept development and innovative action.
- Appraise barriers to creativity in individuals and organisations.
Skills:
- Develop and apply creative and innovative thinking styles.
- Investigate, analyse, and synthesise creativity problem solving techniques to add creative value in order to solve a problem.
- Observe and analyse the creative processes and determine and implement strategies to cope with blocks to creative problem solving.
- Defend the processes and methods of creative problem solving: observation, definition, representation, ideation, evaluation and decision making.
Application of knowledge and skills:
- Apply initiative and judgment in developing creative process suitable for the work environment within an ethical framework.
- Identify, plan and evaluate a diverse range of decisions, across multiple industries, using appropriate creative problem solving techniques.
- Develop specific skills in creative and innovative thinking techniques and focus on practical application of these skills, using individual autonomy and/or team collaboration.
Values:
- Appreciate the complexity of human behaviour.
- Value unconventional approaches.
- Develop a broad view of creative processes and the mechanisms for unlocking creativity.
- Differentiate between product, service and functional creativity.
Assessment Task 1: Individual Study of the Nature of Creativity and Innovation
Individual Essay/Report - Analysis of personal and organisational styles and assessment of strategies for creative thinking and innovation.
Assessment Details - Each student is to submit a written assignment, based on an exploration of the nature of creativity and innovation, how these are defined, what academics and others say about them, and what their own experiences are. The topic will relate to the theory and practice of creativity and innovation in an organisational setting and will require participants to research the current body of knowledge in the area, assess how this might impact their role in an organisation, and present a case based on their research.
To help you focus this, aim to identify examples of people and/or organisations whose success was/is based on creative thinking and innovation, and what they did to achieve their success with innovation. Look to identify the key ingredients to successful innovation - Leadership, Focus, Creativity, Invention, and Entrepreneurship. Try to find people and organisations that are 'less well known' than the usual examples, such as Apple, Google, Uber, etc. The aim is to learn how to 'spot' innovation in action all around you, so focus on your own industry, field, country, or area of interest to find your examples.
The assignment report should be a document of about 2,500 words plus an Executive Summary, Mind Map, and Attachments as needed. You should also include a personal reflection on what you learnt by doing this assignment, and how you might apply the insights gained.
Assessment Task 2: Team based Creativity and Innovation
Research and critical analysis, then synthesising information into group report and oral presentation that demonstrates the creative problem solving process, on a real world business problem.
Assessment Details - The purpose of this group learning task is for students to become familiar with an Applied Creativity & Innovation model and develop skills in Deliberate Creative Thinking techniques by applying them to a real life challenge, and have the opportunity to observe and analyse different creative thinking processes.
Students will work in groups of four or five. Each group will explore possible situations/ challenges/ opportunities in their own organisations, industry, or area of interest, that could benefit from the application of Applied Creativity & Innovation. Each group will then decide on a focus statement for this project. Over the semester, students will work on this selected project, working through the different stages of the Applied Creativity & Innovation model outlined in this course, applying a variety of Deliberate Creative Thinking techniques.
Team Presentation (Part A) and Written Report (Part B.1)
The group's work will be evaluated on a 25 minute oral presentation and submission of their supporting written team project report. Students are encouraged to use creative processes in this presentation and to make the session an enjoyable and enlightening learning activity for all the class members. Presentations are expected to be professionally delivered and accompanied by appropriate graphical material (PowerPoint slides, video clips, whiteboard demonstrations, hand-outs, etc.)
The presentation and written report should:
1. Describe the starting challenge in the chosen situation of your group, identify the methods used to better establish and define this problem, and clearly show the project focus.
2. Describe exploration and idea generation methods and techniques applied to your identified problem, and show what was found during exploration, and the ideas generated.
3. Describe methods used for evaluating and developing the ideas generated into possible solutions, and show the results, outcomes, solutions, designs, or strategies developed, including any possible recommendations.
4. Include some reflection on the strengths and limitations of the methods / techniques used in your project.
5. Include copies of supporting documentation that show the group's work and application of creative techniques (e.g. Mind Maps, ideation notes, photos, visual representations, and a copy of any PowerPoint slides).
Individual Reflection (Part B.2)
In addition each student is to submit an individual reflection report on what they gained, learnt, found challenging, etc. during the team project and during the course. Submit via Moodle. Maximum one page.
Individual Contribution in Class (Part C)
In addition to the team project work, students are assessed on an ongoing basis on their contribution to tutorials, team exercises and activities done throughout the course, as well as their apparent contribution to the team project.
Attachment:- Creativity and Innovation Assignment File.rar