Course Title: Develop and extend critical and creative thinking skills

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 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

Primary course contact:

Ruth Wellington
ruth.wellington@rmit.com.au
9925 9417

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
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
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


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 - Generate design solutions (GRAP5306C - BSBDES401A)

The combined timeline is presented here as a complete reference to the combined unit.

Session Week Beginning Session description Learning Elements
EMPL5960C
Learning Elements
GRAP5306C
1 14 July Orientation activities    
2 21 July

Project 1 - RMIT Mental Health Awareness week
Brainstorming and ideation methods + research

1, 2 1, 2
3 28 July

Develop and explore ideas and products

1, 2 1, 2, 3
4 4 Aug Consolidate design proposal and visual outcome 3, 4 3, 4
5 11 Aug Present concept to client & evaluate outcome - feedback (Project 1 due in) 3, 4 3, 4, 5
6 *** 18 Aug

*** First folio week ***
Compilation of all work generated to date
Digitisation and review of coursework completed

   
7 25 Aug Project 2 - "Brand yourself" - Research and reference gathering 1, 2

 1, 2

8 1 Sept Brainstorming and ideation methods

1, 2

 1, 2, 3

9 8 Sept Develop and evaluate possible options (Revisit Project 1 for implementation)

3

 3, 4
10 15 Sept Consolidate design outcomes and visual applications 3, 4  3, 4, 5
    Mid Term Break - 1 week    
11 29 Sept

Evaluation and reflection on project outcomes (Project 2 due in)

4

 4, 5
12 6 Oct

 *** Folio update week ***
Compilation of all work generated to date
Digitisation and review of coursework completed

   
13 13 Oct

Project 3 - Social issue poster and promotional materials
Research and reference gathering and sorting

1, 2 1
14 20 Oct Brainstorming and ideation methods + problem solving

1, 2

2, 3
15 27 Oct Develop and explore visual concepts and taglines

3

3, 4
16 3 Nov (Mon/Tues no classes) NO CLASS

3, 4

4, 5
17 11 Nov Refinement and production of final designs (Project 3 due in)

4

5
18 18 Nov *** Final Folio week ***  

 

19 25 Nov

Final submissions

1, 2, 3, 4 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
20 1 Dec Assessment week 1, 2, 3, 4 1, 2, 3, 4, 5


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
 


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 3 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:
Stages of each of the projects will be assessed with progressive feedback provided.

Summative Tasks represent a combined total of 100% of the Graded Course Assessment:

Project 1 - 30%
RMIT Mental Health awareness week campaign - collaborative/team based
Due Week 5

Project 2 - 40%
"Brand yourself" - multi-faceted branding project
Due Week 11

Project 3 - 40%
Social issue poster and promotion
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 feedback at RMIT

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Student progress policy

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 Academic Integrity

Course Overview: Access Course Overview