Creative Problem Solving

University of Minnesota

About this Course

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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.

Learner Career Outcomes

17%

started a new career after completing these courses

33%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

33%

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: French, Portuguese (Brazilian), Vietnamese, Russian, English, Spanish

Instructors

Instructor rating

4.51/5 (353 Ratings)

Brad Hokanson, PhD

Jody Nyboer, PhD

Instructor

School of Design, Syracuse University

188,030 Learners

2 Courses

Learner Career Outcomes

17%

started a new career after completing these courses

33%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

33%

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: French, Portuguese (Brazilian), Vietnamese, Russian, English, Spanish

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

Content Rating97%(11,076 ratings)

Week

Week 1

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

Welcome/Introduction3m

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: Newsweek30m

Week

Week 2

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

Divergent and Convergent Thinking9m

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

Week

Week 3

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

Applying Divergent and Convergent Thinking3m

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

Week

Week 4

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

Creativity and Motivation4m

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

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
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.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You’ll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. Learn more.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Course?
This Course doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Course Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more. Online Degrees and Mastertrack™ Certificates on Coursera provide the opportunity to earn university credit.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Creative Problem Solving