Course Title: Develop and extend critical and creative thinking skills

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2014

Course Code: EMPL5890C

Course Title: Develop and extend critical and creative thinking skills

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4295 - Certificate IV in Screen and Media

Course Contact : Program Administration

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815

Course Contact Email:mcvet@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Sarah Hunt

sarah.hunt@rmit.edu.au

Elena Popa

elena.popa@rmit.edu.au

9925 4815

 

Introduction:

(weeks 2 & 3)

Vivienne Weir

viv.weir@rmit.edu.au

9925 4815

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

None

Course Description

In this course you will gain skills and knowledge required to develop methods for thinking in a more creative way.


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

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 resolution
 

Element:

2. Generate ideas and responses

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

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

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 practice 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


On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to use a range of skills to develop different creative options for workplace situations


Details of Learning Activities


Learning activities will consist of:

In-class activities including:-
Class discussions
Class presentations
Workshopping
Group work

Out-of-class activities including: -
Online research
Independent project based work

 


 


Teaching Schedule

 Classes will run weeks 2 & 3, and then run from weeks 6 thru to 16 or 17.

Week       
Class content   Elements
 Week 1  N/A                
 
 Week 2

Introduction to course
Assessment outline
Communication model and its impact in the workplace
Challenging own thought patterns
Defining creativity
Benefits of creativity
Questioning styles
Exploring sources of information
Problem solving

  

BSBCRT301A

Element 1
1.1, 1,2, 1.3, 1.4

Element 2
2.1
 
 Week 3

Problem solving
Risk taking
Group decision making
Brainstorming/round robin brainstorming

 

  Formative assessment - Group decision making exercise Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9
 Week 4  N / A    
 Week 5  N / A    
 Week 6

Organisational cultures
Blocks to creative thinking
Metaphors/analogies
Daydreaming as a source of creativity

 

   Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9
 Week 7

Visualisations
Word salads
Inductive/deductive/lateral thinking

  Formative assessment - Submission of workplace log Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9
 Week 8 Mind mapping   Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9
 Week 9 Tree diagrams
Cause and effect diagrams		   Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9
Week 10 Assessment - in class Summative assessment - Case study  
Week 11 Discussion boards   Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9
Week 12 Edward de Bono’s six thinking hats   Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9
Week 13 Testing ideas
Exploring alternatives
Evaluating alternatives		 Summative assessment - Group presentation Element 3
3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3 .4
Week 14 Relate creative ideas/options to the workplace   Element 3
3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3 .4

Element 4
4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4
Week 15

Work on final assessment
Role plays

  Summative assessment - Role play  
Week 16  Role plays Summative assessment - Role play Element 1
1.1, 1,2, 1.3, 1.4

Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9

Element 3
3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3 .4

Element 4
4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Class notes
 


References

You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information.


Other Resources

None required


Overview of Assessment

Assessment will include both individual and group creative thinking exercises


 


Assessment Tasks

Assessment tasks in this course are either formative or summative. Formative tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered essential building blocks for the more substantial summative assessment tasks. Summative assessment tasks in this unit are graded.

To demonstrate competency in this course you need to complete each one of the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard.
You must submit all pieces of assessment in order for your competency to be assessed in this course.

Formative Assessment:-
1 Group decision making exercises - week 3   2. Portfolio of workplace evidence - week 7

Summative Assessment:-
1. Case study - week 10
2. Group presentation - description and assessment of one critical thinking technique  - week 13
3. Role play - application of a creative thinking technique to a particular issue - weeks 15/16

For further information on the grading system and criteria used, please refer to the course Blackboard site.

Grades used in this unit are as follows:

Grades which apply to courses delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment, but which also use graded assessment:
CHD   Competent with High Distinction
CD      Competent with Distinction
CC      Competent with Credit
CAG   Competency Achieved - Graded
NYC    Not Yet Competent
DNS    Did Not Submit for Assessment


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of
Competency. These are available through the course contact in Program administration
 

Other Information

Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that students attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.

Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete a signed submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.

Feedback - You will receive spoken and written feedback from teachers on your work. Where appropriate, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Student feedback at RMIT http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=9pp3ic9obks7

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Student progress policy http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=vj2g89cve4uj1

Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. You can apply in writing for up to a week’s extension from your course teacher. If you need a longer extension, you wil need to apply for special consideration. Special consideration, appeals and discipline http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism - RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kw02ylsd8z3n

Work Placement:
It is a requirement of this program that all students participate in authentic work related tasks. These may be either simulated or in a real work environment. On occasion, we are approached by industry and given opportunities for students to apply for short term placements. When these placement opportunities arise, students are required to negotiate the specific details with the relevant program coordinator or teacher. All industry placements require students, RMIT staff and host organisations to sign a written agreement prior to the commencement of the placement.
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview