Course Title: Develop and extend critical and creative thinking skills
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2014
Course Code: EMPL5960C
Course Title: Develop and extend critical and creative thinking skills
School: 320T Architecture & Design
Campus: Brunswick Campus
Program: C4322 - Certificate IV in Design
Course Contact : Leigh Milward
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 9438
Course Contact Email:leigh.milward@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
leigh.milward@rmit.com.au
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
This course is delivered and assessed in conjunction with GRAP5335 Generate design solutions.
Course Description
In this course you will develop the skills and knowledge required to think in a more creative way. Creative thinking involves looking at things differently, musing, testing, experimenting and challenging existing thought patterns.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
BSBCRT301A Develop and extend critical and creative thinking skills |
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 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 |
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
|
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate your competency in the above elements.
Details of Learning Activities
Learning activities will take place in a studio and computer laboratory using industry standard tools and resources. You will complete exercises and industry style projects. You will also be required to undertake independent study.
In class activities will include:
• demonstrations and presentations by teacher
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group discussion
• review and revision
• peer learning
• teacher directed group activities/projects
• evaluation & critique including feedback & assessment
Out of class activities will include:
• independent project based work
• online tutorials and activities
• independent research
• site visits
• social & other networking
Teaching Schedule
This course is delivered in combination with
GRAP5335C - Generate design solutions (BSBDES401A)
The combined timeline is presented here as a complete reference to the combined unit.
This combined Teaching Schedule is also available for viewing and download via Google Drive. Please click HERE.
| Session | Week Beginning | Session description | Assessment / Submission | Performance Criteria VART6280C |
Performance Criteria GRAP5306C |
| 1 | 03 Feb | O’Week - Site Visits | |||
| 2 | 10 Feb | Idea Generation 1 #1: Photographic Collection & Analysis. Design Reportage from Brunswick. Assessment workshop: Rubrics
|
Formative Assessment Submission
Image from Brunswick |
1.1, 1.2, 1.3 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4
|
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 |
| 3 | 17 Feb |
Idea Generation 1 #2: Word Games & Target Audiences. Concept & Story generation.
|
1.1, 1.2, 1.3
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 |
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 |
|
| 4 | 24 Feb | Idea Generation 1 #3: Story Design / Image & Text. Combining words and images for a 10 image 1 paragraph story.
|
Formative Assessment Submission
10 image
|
1.1, 1.2, 1.3
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 |
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9
|
| 5 | 03 Mar | Design Project #1 Brief Presentation:
‘Blog Style Magazine Concept Due Session 10 Research exercise
|
1.1, 1.2, 1.3
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 |
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9
|
|
| 6 *** | 10 Mar |
*** Non Face-to-Face week. *** Design Project #1: Self Directed Research exercise.
|
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 | 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 |
|
| 7 | 17 Mar | Design Project #1:
Masthead design. Target Audience definition.
|
Formative Assessment
Presentation |
1.1, 1.2, 1.3
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
|
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
|
| 8 | 24 Mar | Design Project #1:
Visual Concept: Theme/Style. Color/Texture/Space. Navigation (Format) Concepts: Scroll (Vertical), Swipe (Horizontal) or Click (Separate panels).
|
1.1, 1.2, 1.3
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
|
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
|
|
| 9 | 31 Mar | Design Project #1:
Project Development: |
Formative Assessment
Consultation
|
1.1, 1.2, 1.3
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
|
3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
|
| 10 | 07 Apr | Design Project #1: Project Submission. In-Session graded assessment.
|
Summative Task Due
Summative assessment Design Project #1
|
5.4 |
|
|
Mid Term Break - 2 weeks |
|||||
| 11 | 28 Apr | Idea Generation 2 #1.
Exercise:
Develop 3D forms that convey information.
|
Formative Assessment Feedback to Groups |
1.1, 1.2, 1.3
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
|
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 |
| 12 | 05 May | Idea Generation 2 #2. Information/Communication Trajectory: Staged Communication Design. Creative Communication Strategies. Exercise:
|
1.1, 1.2, 1.3
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
|
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 |
|
| 13 | 12 May | Design Project #2 Brief Presentation:
‘Communication Architecture Content from Existing Blog Magazine, or New source.
(includes Feasibility Analysis) 1 minute Proposal.
|
Formative Assessment
1 minute proposal Feedback to Individual in Group context
|
1.1, 1.2, 1.3
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
|
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 |
| 14 | 19 May | Design Project #2. Production & Consultation: Construct Forms using Templates or Own Design. Testing of Surface Communication Strategy. PLAY with others project.
|
Formative Assessment
Peer feedback
|
1.1, 1.2, 1.3
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
|
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 |
| 15 | 26 May | Design Project #2. *** NO Face-to-Face session THIS WEEK *** Online Posting of Development stage. |
3.1, 3.2, 3.3 |
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 |
|
| 16 | 02 Jun | Design Project #2. Production & Consultation: Individual consultation. Documentation of Processes.
|
Formative Assessment
Teacher feedback
|
1.1, 1.2, 1.3
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
|
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 |
| 17 | 09 Jun | Design Project #2. FINAL Production & Consultation. Submission of Project THIS Session. |
Summative Task Due
Design Project #2 |
|
|
| 18 | 16 Jun | Design Project #2. Final Project Presentations. Group Presentation. Live in-person OR video presentation. |
Summative assessment
Design Project #2
|
5.4 |
|
| 19 | 23 Jun | Design Projects #1 & #2. Optional Final presentation development. Photographic documentation. Folio page layout.
|
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
None required |
References
You are advised to look at the course myRMIT site for ongoing updated information. |
Other Resources
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this
course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access of the library resources. The University Library has extensive resources for Design students. The Library has produced a subject guide that includes quality online and print resources for your studies
http://rmit.libguides.com/graphicartanddesign
The Library provides guides on academic referencing http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/referencing and subject specialist help via your Liaison Librarian Mary Mavroudis mary.mavroudis@rmit.edu.au
Overview of Assessment
Assessment is on-going throughout the course. Assessment tasks will require you demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills and will include group and individual tasks and group and individual projects.
Assessment tasks are:
Project 1 50%
Project 2 50%
An assessment charter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.
Assessment Tasks
Tasks in this course are either formative or summative. Feedback throughout the course may be written, verbal or a combination of both.
Formative tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered essential building blocks for the more substantial summative assessment tasks and you should engage in all formative tasks.
This course has 2 Summative Tasks, all of which must be completed/submitted. Each task has an allocated percentage of the total grade.
You are required to demonstrate all learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard.
Formative Exercises:
Session 2: Rubric workshop & Image submission
Session 4: 10 image 1 paragraph story
Session 7: Presentation
Session 9: Consultation
Session 11: Group 3D exercise
Session 13: Brief proposal
Sessions 14 & 16: Consultation feedback
Summative Assessment Tasks comprising a total of 100% of the Graded Assessment:
Task 1 - 50%
Blog Style Magazine Concept - Online &/or Print based Cultural/Design Reportage
Due Week 10
Task 2 - 50%
Communication Architecture - a 3D Graphic Design Space
Due Week 17
At the completion of the course, grading will be offered in addition to, and after, competency based assessment.
Grades which apply to courses delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment, but which also use graded assessment are:
CHD - Competent with High Distinction.
CDI - Competent with Distinction
CC - Competent with Credit
CAG - Competency Achieved - Graded
CA - Competency Achieved - Ungraded
DNS - Did Not Submit for Assessment
NYC - Not Yet Competent
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 you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.
Feedback
You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.
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.
http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration
Cover Sheet for Submissions 

You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.
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
Course Overview: Access Course Overview