About this course: Thinking and doing the same things faster and better is not enough; we need creativity. Fortunately, creativity is a skill you can learn. This course will examine when, why, and how we can be creative. It examines the cues that trigger us to consider being creative. It provides a road map of the creative process – the process of changing our perspectives – and the kinds of outcomes that result from creativity. It examines how we can go through the creative process more efficiently and more effectively by examining what is changing about our thinking and how we can make those changes. The end result is more flexible thinking that can be used to recognize and develop new opportunities.
Created by: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Taught by: Jeffrey Loewenstein, Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior
Department of Business Administration
Taught by: Jack Goncalo, Professor
Department of Business Administration
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Course Orientation
You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.
2 videos, 4 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Video: Welcome to Creativity Toolkit I: Changing Perspectives!
- Video: Meet Professors Loewenstein & Goncalo
- Reading: Syllabus
- Reading: About the Discussion Forums
- Practice Quiz: Orientation Quiz
- Reading: Updating Your Profile
- Discussion Prompt: Getting to Know Your Classmates
- Reading: Social Media
Module 1: Being Creative
In this module you will learn why creativity matters, what creativity is, and how to get started being creative.
10 videos, 2 readings, 2 practice quizzes
- Reading: Module 1 Overview
- Reading: Module 1 Readings and Resources
- Video: Creativity is a Core Leadership Skill
- Video: Creativity is a Skill You Can Learn
- Practice Quiz: Lesson 1-1 Practice Quiz
- Video: The Creative Process
- Video: Knowledge, Stories, and Perspectives
- Video: Using, Adding To, Changing, and Building Perspectives
- Video: What Puts Us On the Road to Creativity?
- Video: The Impasse Cue
- Video: The Dissatisfaction Cue
- Video: The Surprise Cue
- Video: The Crosstalk Cue
- Practice Quiz: Lesson 1-3 Practice Quiz
Graded: Module 1 Quiz
WEEK 2
Module 2: Raw Materials and End Products
In this module you will learn a way to break down what it is we are currently thinking so that we can consider changing it to generate new outcomes.
7 videos, 2 readings, 2 practice quizzes
- Reading: Module 2 Overview
- Reading: Module 2 Readings and Resources
- Video: Ideas and Perspectives
- Video: PAGES Exercise
- Video: PAGES Exercise Continued
- Video: More PAGES
- Practice Quiz: Lesson 2-1 Practice Quiz
- Video: Insights
- Video: Inventions
- Video: Enlightenments
- Practice Quiz: Lesson 2-2 Practice Quiz
Graded: Module 2 Peer Assessment
Graded: Module 2 Quiz
WEEK 3
Module 3: Tools for Thinking
In this module, you will learn how to help yourself change your perspectives using four tools.
4 videos, 2 readings, 4 practice quizzes
- Reading: Module 3 Overview
- Reading: Module 3 Readings and Resources
- Video: Analogy
- Practice Quiz: Lesson 3-1 Practice Quiz
- Video: Re-categorization
- Practice Quiz: Lesson 3-2 Practice Quiz
- Video: Combination
- Practice Quiz: Lesson 3-3 Practice Quiz
- Video: Association
- Practice Quiz: Lesson 3-4 Practice Quiz
Graded: Module 3 Peer Assessment
Graded: Module 3 Quiz
WEEK 4
Module 4: The Creative Journey
In this module, you will learn that creativity can be joyful, intrinsically motivating, and even liberating. You will also learn how to manage your organization so that your employees find ways to persist through the process as well.
5 videos, 2 readings, 3 practice quizzes
- Reading: Module 4 Overview
- Reading: Module 4 Readings and Resources
- Video: Creativity is a Journey
- Practice Quiz: Lesson 4-1 Practice Quiz
- Video: Reality of Rejection
- Practice Quiz: Lesson 4-2 Practice Quiz
- Video: Why Persist?
- Video: Intrinsic Motivation: Interview with Michael Williamson
- Practice Quiz: Lesson 4-3 Practice Quiz
- Video: Module 4 & Course Wrap-Up
Graded: Module 4 Quiz
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
Help from Your Peers
Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.
Certificates
Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.
Creators
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a world leader in research, teaching and public engagement, distinguished by the breadth of its programs, broad academic excellence, and internationally renowned faculty and alumni. Illinois serves the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and finding solutions to critical societal needs.
Pricing
| Audit | Purchase Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Not available | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Not available | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Not available | Available |
Ratings and Reviews
Great tool to unblock the creative mind!
Very entertaining and informative lectures, but the assignments were a bit dull.
This class awakened parts of me that I had squelched for years. It never occurred to me that creativity takes place on many different levels and in many different ways. It's exciting to find a class that applaud's right brain activity! This class also teaches right brainers how to understand culture and innovative ways to help groups interact more creatively. Loved it from beginning to end!
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This course has been one of the most exciting I have ever take. Now I know I can be creative!