Offered By

How to Jumpstart Your Hidden Creative Genius

Michigan State University

About this Course

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Despite what you may think, there is evidence that everyone has the capacity to think creatively. This course will teach you to be much less predictable in your thinking and have the confidence and ability to generate unique, workable ideas to solve complex problems. Society impels us to conform to its written and unwritten rules for thinking and behaving in a certain way, which makes too many of the ideas and solutions we generate fairly predictable and ineffective. 
The first part of this course is about you. I want to convince you that you were once insanely creative and explain forces around you caused you to lose most of that ability. If you think you are already plenty creative, then know that you're not as creative as you could be and, conversely, if you believe you don't have a single creative bone in your body, I will do my best to convince you you're wrong and share ways you can get your high level of creativity back. 

Asking you to think back on some of the societal forces that negatively impacted your upbringing may be hard to hear, but it’s important to understand these often unseen forces so you can do something to counteract them. 

The second part of the course is for learning several tried and true brainstorming and problem-solving "tools" you can use that will help you be your most creative self. 

Please note: Portions of this course may include readings, media, and discussion around topics based on emotional experiences from your youth. The title of any element that may be a trigger will be indicated with a "TW".

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 9 hours to complete

English

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Skills you will gain

Self-Reflection
Creativity

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 9 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Karl Gude

Graphics Editor in Residence

School of Journalism

155,202 Learners

2 Courses

Offered by

Michigan State University

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 150 years.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week1

Week 1

1 hour to complete

How You Once Had, But Lost, Your Best Creative Self

This week we’ll look at what creativity is and isn’t and I’ll explain how several creativity-related terms like ‘imagination’, ‘innovation’ and ‘incubation’. Creativity isn’t something that only applies to artistic endeavors. When businesses are looking for help coming up with creative solutions to their complex challenges, I don’t think they’re searching for oil painters! I’ll explain how we all had, then lost, all or most of our creative ability. Your best creative self is in you, it’s just buried and needs to come out. (Note: TW = trigger warning)

1 hour to complete

14 videos (Total 53 min)

14 videos

About The Instructor1mCourse Overview2mJust What Is Creativity?3mTying It All Together: Creativity, Imagination, Innovation And Other Terms5mLearn About You, Unlearn It, Then Relearn Better2mYour Creativity2mHow We All Had And Then Lost Our Creativity3mTW: What Happens In Our Lives That Kills Our Creativity?2mTW: Peers1mTW: Caregivers1mTW: Schools5mTW: Self-Confidence and Creativity4mNo One Is as Wonderfully Unique as You4mIDEO Founder David Kelly's TED talk: "How to Build Your Creative Confidence"11m

Week2

Week 2

2 hours to complete

How to Get Your Most Creative Self Back

2 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 21 min), 2 readings

Week3

Week 3

10 minutes to complete

Creativity In The Workplace

10 minutes to complete

2 videos (Total 10 min)

Week4

Week 4

5 hours to complete

Use Problem-Solving Methods to Solve Complex Problems

Learn about problem-solving methods for tackling complex challenges, ones that seem to have no solution. There are many such methods, and we’ll be focusing on one of the more popular ones in the workplace, Design Thinking, which is a step-by-step problem-solving framework that is based on human centered design, a mindset that involves empathizing with the end-user, the people affected by your solution, to ensure it works for them.

5 hours to complete

13 videos (Total 47 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

13 videos

How Problem-Solving Methods Work3mWheelchairs And Snow: An Example Of A Problem Solved Badly, Then Properly3mCreativity Venn Diagram & Why Constraints Are Good5mSneaking Past Your Brain’s Guard Post3mWhat is Design Thinking?3mStep 1: Empathy (a): Why Understanding The End-User Is Important:3mEmpathy (b): How To Empathize Properly3mSTEP 2: Define the Problem (a)1mDefine the Problem (b): Identifying and Defining the Right Problem to Solve1mDefine the Problem (c): How to Write a Problem Statement Step by Step1mDefine the Problem (d): Ask a Good Question You'll Solve5mStep 3: Ideate: Brainstorming GREAT Ideas5mSteps 4 and 5: PROTOTYPE and TEST4m

2 readings

Empathy Map: Why and How to Use It30mHow to Write a Problem Statement Step by Step30m

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. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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How to Jumpstart Your Hidden Creative Genius

How to Jumpstart Your Hidden Creative Genius

About this Course

Skills you will gain