Course Title: Develop and extend critical and creative thinking skills

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2009

Course Code: EMPL5623C

Course Title: Develop and extend critical and creative thinking skills

School: 650T TAFE Business

Campus: City Campus

Program: C3216 - Certificate III in Business Administration

Course Contact : Sylvia Baroutis

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5469

Course Contact Email:sylvia.baroutis@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 40

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

There are no pre-requisites and co-requisites for this competency.

Course Description

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to collaborate in a creative process.  No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

This unit applies to individuals who participate in a collaborative creative process in a work or broader life context.  It is relevant to individuals who are involved in what is traditionally considered creative endeavour but is also very important in broader business and community activities where creative team effort is highly valued.

This unit focuses on effective engagement in a collaborative process, underpinned by a commitment to trust and ethics as a key feature of collaborative creative effort.

This unit contains employability skills.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

BSBCRT301A Develop and extend critical and creative thinking skills

Element:

1. Develop a questioning mindset

1.1 Develop the habit of asking questions from different perspectives

1.2 Take responsibility for exploring a variety of information sources to provide relevant answers to own questions

1.3 Sort through information and ideas to identify the central questions, issues and challenges

1.4 Challenge preconceptions and assumptions to determine actual constraints in defining a problem for resolution

 

 

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Develop the habit of asking questions from different perspectives

1.2 Take responsibility for exploring a variety of information sources to provide relevant answers to own questions

1.3 Sort through information and ideas to identify the central questions, issues and challenges

1.4 Challenge preconceptions and assumptions to determine actual constraints in defining a problem for reresolution

Element:

2. Generate ideas and responses

2.1 Explore and use a range of creative thinking techniques to generate ideas and responses

2.2 Muse on, play around with and have fun with ideas in relation to a perceived objective

2.3 Identify and challenge blockers to creative thinking

2.4 Consider and explore realities beyond the current situation

2.5 Evaluate, and where appropriate, challenge existing boundaries to determine perceived or actual constraints

2.6 Show willingness to take risks with ideas and thought processes

2.7 Look around in familiar and unfamiliar places for new inspiration and habitually record observations, experiences, ideas and reflective thoughts to broaden personal knowledge base

2.8 Acknowledge and accept the opportunity for revelation when least expected

2.9 Identify connections and associations from things that seem unconnected

 

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Explore and use a range of creative thinking techniques to generate ideas and responses

2.2 Muse on, play around with and have fun with ideas in relation to a perceived objective

2.3 Identify and challenge blockers to creative thinking

2.4 Consider and explore realities beyond the current situation

2.5 Evaluate, and where appropriate, challenge existing boundaries to determine perceived or actual constraints

2.6 Show willingness to take risks with ideas and thought processes

2.7 Look around in familiar and unfamiliar places for new inspiration and habitually record observations, experiences, ideas and reflective thoughts to broaden personal knowledge base

2.8 Acknowledge and accept the opportunity for revelation when least expected

2.9 Identify connections and associations from things that seem unconnected

Element:

3. Challenge, test and re invent ideas

3.1 Identify, interrogate and challenge the assumptions behind ideas

3.2 Experiment with variations, and explore and challenge a range of different solutions and ideas

3.3 Consciously change perspectives, and evaluate ideas and situations in new ways

3.4 Where appropriate, involve others in ideas and how they might change or be improved

 

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Identify, interrogate and challenge the assumptions behind ideas

3.2 Experiment with variations, and explore and challenge a range of different solutions and ideas

3.3 Consciously change perspectives, and evaluate ideas and situations in new ways

3.4 Where appropriate, involve others in ideas and how they might change or be improved

Element:

4. Enhance creative thinking skills

4.1 Consciously challenge and question own thought patterns and ways of responding to work and life situations

4.2 Identify and take opportunities to self-assess and to learn about new ideas and different ways of thinking

4.3 Take opportunities to practise and experiment with creative thinking techniques across work and life situations

4.4 Pro-actively talk to others about ways that new ideas and patterns of thinking can be encouraged and developed.

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Consciously challenge and question own thought patterns and ways of responding to work and life situations

4.2 Identify and take opportunities to self-assess and to learn about new ideas and different ways of thinking

4.3 Take opportunities to practise and experiment with creative thinking techniques across work and life situations

4.4 Pro-actively talk to others about ways that new ideas and patterns of thinking can be encouraged and developed.


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

Students will engage in a range of learning activities which aim to develop and extend critical and creative thinking skills.  Students will explore a range of thinking processes, including reflective thinking.  Other learning activities have been selected to stimulate student exploration and use of a range of creative thinking techniques to assist in the generation of ideas and responses.

Creative thinking involves looking at things differently, musing, testing, experimenting and challenging existing thought patterns.

Creative thinking can take place anywhere - at home, at work, lying in bed at night in the shower or on the bus.  It can be applied to any type of issue or situation.  When used effectively it can assist with the improvement of existing, or the development of entirely new or innovative services, products or processes.  Sometimes creative thinking may pay off in a seemingly unconnected way at a future time and in an apparently unrelated context.

Creative thinking can be learnt and applied through thoughtful application of skills related to observation, analysis, reflection, problem solving, evaluation and critical appraisal.

Effective use of creative thinking skills opens up new opportunities for individuals, businesses and communities.


Teaching Schedule

Week Topic/s Activity
Week  7                Overview of course - blended delivery
(online and face to face)
Learning activities and assessment centred around two main themes
1.  Sustainability in business today 
2.  Creativity and business

Face to face class
What is creativity? 

How are you creative?

Reflective journal writing                                            

Week 8 Be Creative
The Creative Process - Stages in the Process
Blockers to Creativity and how can we overcome these?

Face to face class
Research on blocks to creativity

Week 9 Search for challenges - two main themes - what
are the problems/issues of importance today?
Online class
Read Chapter 5 The Creative Process, Ruggerio
Search for the challenges
Express the problems or issues
Investigate the problems or issues - research
Week 10 Produce ideas
Various techniques for producing ideas 

Face to face class
Brainstorming
Mind mapping

Week 11

Produce ideas
Various techniques for producing ideas

Face to face class
Brainwriting
Metaphors
Visualisation
Story telling
Week 12 Produce ideas
Various techniques for producing ideas
Face to face class
Six Thinking Hats
Week 13 Be Critical
The role of criticism
Critical thinking
Online class
Read: Chapter 2 What is Critical Thinking - Ruggerio
Developing probing questions to evaluate the ideas produced by using the creative techniques
Week 14 Refine your solutions and communicate your ideas

Online class
Presenting ideas

 

 Week 15 Develop your individual presentation to present your creative and critical thinking journey/ideas to the group

Face to Face class
Work in progress - development of presentations

 

 Week 16 Present your ideas to the class

Face to face class
Individual presentations

Week 17 Review  
Week 18 Online survey  


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

There is no prescribed text for this course.


References


Other Resources

Links to various resources of interest are included on the Learning Hub.


Overview of Assessment

Students must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of a particular competency to be deemed competent.  Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner.  Assessment will incorporate a variety of methods including: direct observation of the candidate participating in collaborative creative thinking acitivities, evaluation of a presentation made by the candidate articulating the process of developing ideas or pieces of work, plus evaluation of the candidate’s presentation of the creative thinking process in scrapbooking format and a reflective journal.  Due to the complex nature of this competency, students will be required to demonstrate competency in any element more than once.  Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.  In addition, formative feedback will be provided to students throughout the course.


Assessment Tasks

Reflective Journal showing the development of thinking skills (Six reflective journal entries) - 30%  (Please refer to the marking guide available on the Learning Hub.)

Observation of active participation in the face-to-face and online classes - critical and creative thinking exercises and activities - 40%

Individual presentation on the critical and creative solutions developed during the course OR the individual critical and creative thinking learning journey undertaken - 30% (Please refer to the marking guide available on the Learning Hub.)


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

Grading

A pass in an assessment piece will result in a grade for the student.  Where a pass is achieved competency for that assessment is given.  Where a pass is not achieved in any assessment piece an NYC (Not Yet Competent) grade will be given.  Competency MUST be achieved for each element of competency within a competency standard for a pass grade (or higher grade) to be given.  Where competency for all elements of competency is not achieved, an overall NN grade will result.

Submission of written work/assessment

All of your written work must conform with RMIT’s guidelines "Written Reports and Essays:  Guidelines for Referencing and Presentation in RMIT Business" which can be found on the RMIT website.

All of your written assessment must be lodged by the due date in the format specified for the particular assessment task.  Written assessment must have a footer containing:  student number, student name, course code, title of assessment and teacher’s name.

Staple your assignment.  Please do not place in plastic binders or plastic pockets.

Attach a signed Assignment Cover Sheet to each submission of written work or assessment.  Cover sheets are available near the lifts on Level 13.

You must keep a copy of your assignment/written work, which can be produced if the original is lost or damaged.

Late Submission of Work or Assessment

Only in cases of exceptional and genuine hardship (not including inconvenience or poor study planning), will limited extensions be considered.  Students must lodge a completed Application of Extension Form before the official submission date for the work or assessment. Completed applications are to be addressed to the course coordinator and submitted via Reception on Level 13, Building 108.  Documentary evidence should be provided.  Note:  Extensions are not automatically granted.

Employability Skills

This course/comeptency includes the employability skills listed below which are assessable under the Business Services Training Package.

In order to be able to effectively demonstrate the required employability skills during the course, students should participate and aim to attend punctually.  Students are required to contribute to 80% plus of the requried classes.  Please note that employability skills are assessed across the entire program.

Employability skills are a core component of the competency and if a student is unable to effectively demonstrate these skills, a mark of NYC (Not Yet Competent) will be given for the course.

Employability skills identified for this course are:

Communication
Teamwork
Problem solving
Initiative and enterprise
Planning and organising
Self-management
Learning
Technology

From July 2008 students issues with Training Package qualifications have been informed by their Registered Training Organisation that Employability Skills Summaries for Training Package qualifications can be downloaded from http://employabilityskills.training.com.au. Registered Training Organisations are required to add the mandatory sentence providing the URL for the Employability Skills Summaries to Training Package and qualification testamurs from 1 January 2009.  The Australian Qualification framework Implementation Handbook has been amended to show this requirement.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview