This course deals directly with your ability for creativity which is a critical skill in any field. It focuses on divergent thinking, the ability to develop multiple ideas and concepts to solve problems. Through a series of creativity building exercises, short lectures, and readings, learners develop both an understanding of creativity and increase their own ability.
Creative Problem Solving
University of MinnesotaAbout this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
25%
started a new career after completing these courses
50%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
50%
got a pay increase or promotion
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Approx. 14 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Learner Career Outcomes
25%
started a new career after completing these courses
50%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
50%
got a pay increase or promotion
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Approx. 14 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Offered by
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation’s most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
3 hours to complete
Introduction to the Course
Creativity is a skill that can be developed. It requires extensive work by learners, but the lessons, while not conveying traditional content, will change you in ways you do not foresee, but ways which are valuable. The course is a hybrid; it will involve reading, writing, discussions, as well as specific exercises designed to increase and improve your creative skills. You will do work online as well as in the real world; it is designed to be fun and to change your ability for creativity.
3 hours to complete
7 videos (Total 41 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes
7 videos
Course Methods: Creative Skill Development7m
Idea Generation: Brick Activity4m
DSD General Introduction5m
DSD 1 Eat introduction1m
Critiquing and Making Improvements2m
Brief tutorial on shooting pictures for the class16m
2 readings
Introduction - read this first10m
The Creativity Crisis [ published in Newsweek 2010 ]10m
1 practice exercise
#1: Newsweek16m
5 hours to complete
Divergent and Convergent Thinking
In this unit we'll look as some of the ways we can describe creativity and examine the concepts of divergent and convergent thinking. We'll look at generating more ideas, how to critique and make improvements, and continue to practice our development of ideas. Practice and exploration continue as these are the means we will continue to improve our own creativity.
5 hours to complete
4 videos (Total 36 min), 1 reading, 3 quizzes
4 videos
Play and Creativity7m
DSD 2: Child50s
Steven JohnsonTED talk: Where Good Ideas Come From17m
1 reading
Steven Johnson - Where Good Ideas Come From10m
2 practice exercises
Originality Development Engine #1 [do this each week]5m
Where Good Ideas Come From Introduction
5 hours to complete
Creativity, Motivation and Observation
Sometimes, we need external methods to help us touch all the bases in our creative capability. Here, we'll look at a couple of good methods for helping us generate new ideas.There are a wide range of creativity exercises available; these are but a few. Finding and practicing the development of ideas is an important aspect to becoming more creative.
5 hours to complete
7 videos (Total 23 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes
7 videos
Creativity and Motivation4m
Mindmapping3m
Beliefs, Habits, Skills and Knowledge2m
Give Differently Introduction53s
Attribute Listing: Observation and Application4m
Bricolage + Exquisite Corpse as Creativity Techniques3m
1 reading
Chapter 1: Developing Creative Thinking Skills10m
1 practice exercise
Originality Development Engine #2 [do this each week]5m
1 hour to complete
Creativity and Observation
A lot of the time, creativity can be spurred by something in the environment, triggering connections with new ideas. We react to things we have seen and our experiences; that is from where we build our new ideas.
1 hour to complete
7 videos (Total 31 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
7 videos
Brush Your Teeth2m
Left Brain/Right Brain Thinking5m
Top 10 Things About Creativity8m
Moving Forward5m
Conclusion1m
Creativity Models and Theories4m
2 readings
An external evaluation of your creative lifestyle20m
Creativity Resources and Tools10m
1 practice exercise
Originality Development Engine #3 [do this each week] PC5m
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING
by BDJul 21, 2020
Great course. It was really a great experience to take this course. I developed the insight into creativity and will definitely implement in my everyday life.\n\nThanks for such a great course.
by JBMay 13, 2020
This course makes you stretch your creativity to new lengths as you try new and unusual ideas, Explains how we all can increase our creativity through practice and the practical ways to do so.
by NCJun 4, 2020
Thank you I'm so glad I can learn so many things about how to be more creative to solving problem and we can see or discussion about out creativities. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.
by JPMay 25, 2020
the experience of doing this course and participating into the different quizzes and DSD's has made me think more creatively and somewhere made me more brave. The proffessors were amazing.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
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- The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
- The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
You will be eligible for a full refund until two weeks after your payment date, or (for courses that have just launched) until two weeks after the first session of the course begins, whichever is later. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the two-week refund period. See our full refund policy.
Is financial aid available?
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