Course Title: Develop and extend critical and creative thinking skills
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2015
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
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: |
1. Develop a questioning mindset |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1. Develop the habit of asking questions from different perspectives |
Element: |
2. Generate ideas and responses |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1. Explore and use a range of creative thinking techniques to generate ideas and responses |
Element: |
3. Challenge, test and re invent ideas |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1. Identify, interrogate and challenge the assumptions behind ideas |
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 |
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.
| Session | Session description | Feedback / |
Learning elements BSBCRT301A - Creativity EMPL5960C |
Learning |
| 1 |
O’Week - Site Visits |
1 | 2, 3 | |
| 2 |
Creativity Solutions (Design project) #1 / Numbers and Quantity |
|
1, 2 |
2, 3 |
| 3 |
Introduction to generating design solutions Creativity Solutions #1 / Numbers and Quantity - ideas & experimentation |
1, 2, 3 | 1, 2, 3, 4 | |
| 4 |
Creativity Solutions #1 / Numbers and Quantity - first design solutions - challenge current outcomes |
Task Submission |
1, 2, 3, 4 | 3, 4, 5
|
| 5 |
|
1, 2, 3, 4 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
|
| 6 |
Creativity / Solutions #1 / Numbers and Quantity - risk taking in the design process
|
Feedback workshop task |
1, 2, 3, 4 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| 7 |
Creativity / Solutions #1 / Numbers and Quantity - refinement and detail |
1, 2, 3, 4 |
|
|
| 8 |
Creativity Solutions #1 / Numbers and Quantity - FINAL SUBMISSION
|
Task Submission
Review, feedback |
1, 2, 3, 4 |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
|
| 9 | Creativity Solutions (Design project) #2 / Poster Design (international competition brief) |
|
1, 2, |
1, 2, 3 |
Mid Term Break - 1 week |
|
|||
| 10 |
Creativity Solutions #2 / Poster Design (international competition brief) - Introduction to the Segunda Llamada Poster Competition (Mexico) - Q & A via Skype with competition host |
Q & A session | 1 | 1, 2, 3 |
| 11 |
Creativity Solutions #2 / Poster Design (international competition brief) - design development |
|
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | |
| 12 |
Creativity Solutions #2 / Poster Design (international competition brief) - first design solutions - challenge current outcomes |
Task Submission
Review, feedback |
1, 2, 3, 4 |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| 13 |
|
|
1, 2, 3, 4
|
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| 14 |
Creativity Solutions #2 / Poster Design (international competition brief) - design development |
|
1, 2, 3, 4 |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| 15 |
Creativity Solutions #2 / Poster Design (international competition brief)
- risk taking in the design process - alternate perspective development |
1, 2, 3, 4 |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | |
| 16 |
Creativity Solutions #2 / Poster Design (international competition brief) Creativity / Solutions #1 / Numbers and Quantity - optional project development or reworking |
|
1, 2, 3, 4
|
3, 4, 5 |
| 17 |
Creativity Solutions #2 / Poster Design (international competition brief) - SUBMISSION & group presentation Creativity / Solutions #1 / Numbers and Quantity - Final submission of developments |
Task Submission
Review, feedback |
1, 2, 3, 4
|
3, 4, 5 |
| 18 |
Creativity Solutions #2 / Poster Design (international competition brief) - submission to international competition |
Submission of
|
1, 2, 3, 4 | 3, 4, 5 |
| 19 |
Final submission
|
3, 4 | ||
| 20 | Assessment week (no formal class) |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
None required |
References
You are advised to look at the course myRMIT site for ongoing updated information. |
|
Rustler, F 2012, Mind Mapping For Dummies, e-book, accessed 24 June 2015, <http://RMIT.eblib.com.au/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=865208>. |
9781119943754 |
Ambrose, G, & Aono-Billson, N 2011, Approach and Language, AVA Publishing, Lausanne, Switzerland. |
9782940439737 |
Ambrose, G, & Harris, P 2010, Design Th!nking, AVA Publishing, Lausanne. |
9782940439386 |
Lupton, E 2011. Graphic design thinking : Beyond brainstorming (1st ed.). New York, Baltimore, Princeton Architectural Press ; Maryland Institute College of Art. |
9781568989792 |
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
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 Tasks:
Session 4: First design solutions / Design project #1
Session 6: Feedback workshop task
Session 12: First design solutions / Design project #2
Summative Assessment Tasks comprising a total of 100% of the Graded Assessment:
Task 1 - 50%
Creativity / Solutions #1 / Numbers and Quantity
Due Week 8, then can be reworked for Week 17
Task 2 - 50%
Creativity Solutions #2 / Poster Design (international competition brief)
Due Week 17, then additional submission to International Competition Week 18
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
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 be successful in this course.
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 feedback at RMIT:
Pick the following link to access the Student feedback webpage
Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.
Pick the following link to access the Student progress policy webpage
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.
Pick the following link for Cover sheet for submission of works
Special consideration Policy
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.
Pick the following link for details on applying for Special consideration
Late Submission & Extensions
Any student seeking an extension, should aim at doing so a minimum of 2 days before the deadline. Work submitted late and without an extension at any point will incur late penalties in accordance with university policy.
If you require an extension you must complete an extension form with evidence supporting your application and hand this to your instructor.
Extension form link – Application for extension of time
On Time Submission and Impact of Late Submission
On time submission is an important factor in your assessment. Employability skills are embedded in all courses and these include Planning & Organising and Self-management. For this reason, late work impacts on your overall grade for each assessment task.

 The following adjustments for late submission will be made: Grades will be reduced by 10% for each day (or part thereof), for the first two days. If submissions are three days or more late, the work will only be assessed as a pass or fail – it will not be graded. Submissions seven days or more late should still be handed in, however they will not be assessed and will be kept as a record only.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity.
Pick the following link for more information Academic Integrity
Course Overview: Access Course Overview