Creative Problem Solving
Offered By
Creative Problem Solving
University of Minnesota
About this Course
4.0
297 ratings
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.
This course will help you understand the role of creativity and innovation in your own work and in other disciplines. It will challenge you to move outside of your existing comfort zone and to recognize the value of that exploration. This course will help you understand the importance of diverse ideas, and to convey that understanding to others.
The principal learning activity in the course is a series of "differents" where you are challenged to identify and change your own cultural, habitual, and normal patterns of behavior. Beginning with a prompt, e.g. "eat something different", you will begin to recognize your own = limits and to overcome them. In addition, you are encouraged to understand that creativity is based on societal norms, and that by it's nature, it will differ from and be discouraged by society. In this course, the persistence of the creative person is developed through practice. At the same time, these exercises are constrained by concerns of safety, legality, and economics, which are addressed in their creative process.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
1
Section
Introduction to the Course
Creative problem solving is a skill that can be developed. It requires extensive work by learners, but the lessons, while not conveying traditional content, will change the you in ways you do not foresee, but ways which are cherished. 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.
7 videos (Total 48 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz
7 videos
1.2 Course Methods: Creative Skill Development7m
1.3 DSD General Introduction5m
1.4 DSD 1 Eat introduction1m
1.5 Doing Peer Evaluations4m
1.6 Shooting Pictures16m
2014 DSD 1 Live Review8m
4 readings
Introduction - read this first10m
Welcome to the course10m
Do This ---> New Originality Development Engine10m
The Creativity Crisis [ published in Newsweek 2010 ]10m
2
Section
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.
6 videos (Total 47 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes
6 videos
2.2 Idea Generation: Brick Activity4m
2.3 Critiquing and Making Improvements2m
2.4 DSD 2 Talk introduction1m
2014 DSD3 [talk] Live Review10m
Steven JohnsonTED talk: Where Good Ideas Come From17m
2 readings
New: Originality Development Engine10m
Johnson - Where Good Ideas Come From10m
1 practice exercise
#1: Newsweek16m
3
Section
Creative Methods
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.
4 videos (Total 9 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
4 videos
3.2 Attribute listing2m
3.3 Beliefs, Habits, Skills and Knowledge2m
DSD 3 Smooch Introduction1m
2 readings
3.0 Originality Assessment Engine10m
DSD 3 The Smooch Project10m
4
Section
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.
7 videos (Total 35 min), 1 quiz
7 videos
4.2 Attribute Listing: Observation and Application4m
4.3 Brush Your Teeth2m
4.4 Creativity and Motivation4m
4.5 Play and Creativity7m
4.6 Bricolage + Exquisite Corpse as Creativity Techniques3m
DSD 3 Live Review SPRING version10m
1 practice exercise
#2: Johnson Introduction20m
Instructors
Brad Hokanson, PhD
ProfessorCollege of Design
Jody Nyboer, PhD
InstructorSchool of Design
About 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
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?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
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