About this course: In this course, you will learn how to develop your Problem Solving and Creativity Skills to help you achieve success in your university studies. After completing this course, you will be able to: 1. Recognise the importance and function of problem solving and creative thought within academic study and the role of critical thought in creative ideation. 2. Develop a toolkit to be able to identify real problems and goals within ill-defined problems 3. Recognize and apply analytical problem solving techniques 4. Recognise and apply creative problem solving techniques 5. Identify the use of creativity within and types of problems most common to your field 6. Apply learnt problem solving and creative ideation skills to a real-life context and reflect on personal learning processes
Who is this class for: This course is a high-level academic skills course designed to increase your level of academic preparedness prior to commencement of your studies in an English-medium university. The course equips you for full participation and engagement with your studies by building awareness and understanding of the core values and expectations of academic culture. The course may also benefit learners who have already commenced their studies and would like to further improve their academic skills to support and increase their chance for success at university.
Created by: The University of Sydney
Taught by: Katherine Olston, Deputy Director (Digital Learning)
University of Sydney Centre for English Teaching
Taught by: Lydia Dutcher, Education Manager, Graduate Programs
Centre for English Teaching
| Basic Info | Course 2 of 5 in the Academic Skills for University Success Specialization |
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | 6 weeks of study, 2 - 4 hours per week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Introduction to Problem-Solving Skills for University Success
After this module, you will be able to 1. Understand the structure & expectations of the course 2. Understand expectations about Problem-Solving within academic culture 3. Articulate the skills & dispositions needed for Problem-Solving 4. Demonstrate awareness of ethical issues related to academic integrity surrounding Problem-Solving
6 videos, 8 readings, 4 practice quizzes
- Reading: Overview of Weekly Topics & Learning Outcomes
- Reading: Problem-Solving Skills Assessment Overview
- Reading: Glossary of Terms
- Reading: Acknowledgements
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Discussion Prompt: Brain Teaser: "The Deadly Lion"
- Video: 1.1a Introduction to the Course
- Discussion Prompt: 1.1 Introduction Forum
- Practice Quiz: 1.1. Review
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 1.2a Introduction to Academic Culture
- Video: 1.2b Introduction to Problem Solving
- Practice Quiz: 1.2 Review
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 1.3a Survival Skills for University
- Practice Quiz: 1.3 Review
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 1.4 Academic Integrity
- Discussion Prompt: 1.4 Academic Integrity
- Practice Quiz: 1.4 Review
Graded: Summative Quiz - Module 1
Graded: Discussion Board Self-Assessment - Module 1
WEEK 2
Categorise Problems & The Problem-Solving Process
After this module, you will be able to 1. Categorize different problems based on their type 2. Identify the different problem types most common at university 3. Recognise language associated with descriptive & analytical problem types 4. Recognise & apply the four-step problem solving process
9 videos, 4 readings, 4 practice quizzes
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Discussion Prompt: Brain Teaser: Coloured Hats
- Video: 2.1b Categorizing Problems 1
- Video: 2.1c Categorizing Problems 2
- Video: 2.1d Problems in Different Fields
- Discussion Prompt: Types of Problems
- Practice Quiz: 2.1 Review
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 2.2a Descriptive Tasks and Problems
- Practice Quiz: 2.2 Review
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 2.3a Analytical Tasks
- Video: 2.3b Analytical Problems
- Practice Quiz: 2.3 Review
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 2.4a The Problem Solving Process
- Video: 2.4b The Problem Solving Process
- Practice Quiz: 2.4 Review
- Discussion Prompt: The Problem-Solving Process
Graded: Summative Quiz - Module 2
Graded: Discussion Board Self-Assessment - Module 2
WEEK 3
Understanding Problems, Generating Solutions & Solution Paths
After this module, you will be able to 1. Apply strategies to help you better understand a problem & identify the goal of a problem 2. Generate ideas or approaches for solving a problem 3. Apply strategies to help you find alternative solutions 4. Recognise the place of research & evidence in problem solving 5. Identify & justify formulas, theories or outside tools required for problem solving.
8 videos, 6 readings, 4 practice quizzes
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Discussion Prompt: Brain Teaser: Prince's Dilemma
- Video: 3.1b Strategies for Understanding and Beginning the Problem
- Video: 3.1c Check your Marking Criteria!
- Reading: 3.1d Strategies for Understanding the Problem
- Practice Quiz: 3.1 Review
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 3.2a Starting with What you Know
- Discussion Prompt: Starting with What you Know
- Reading: 3.2b Brainstorms & Mind-Maps explained
- Practice Quiz: 3.2 Review
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 3.3a Using Specialized Knowledge
- Practice Quiz: 3.3 Review
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 3.4a Problem-Solving with Special Cases
- Video: 3.4b Strategies for Problem-Solving with Specialized Knowledge & Special Cases
- Video: 3.4c Using Special Cases to Solve Problems
- Discussion Prompt: Understanding the Problem
- Practice Quiz: 3.4 Review
Graded: Summative Quiz - Module 3
Graded: Discussion Board Self-Assessment - Module 3
WEEK 4
Taking Creative & Critical Approaches to Solving Problems, & Evaluating Solutions
After this module, you will be able to 1. Change analogies & viewpoints to solve problems. 2. Apply a variety of forms of reasoning & thinking. 3. Employ creative techniques to the solution of problems. 4. Evaluate a number of solutions to a problem to determine the best one.
9 videos, 5 readings, 4 practice quizzes
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Discussion Prompt: Brain Teaser: 9 Dot Problem
- Video: 4.1b Learning from Other People
- Discussion Prompt: Traffic Control Insight
- Practice Quiz: 4.1 Review
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 4.2a Applying Forms of Reasoning and Thinking
- Video: 4.2b Questioning Assumptions & Considering Alternatives
- Video: Questioning Assumptions: The 9 Dot Problem
- Practice Quiz: 4.2 Review
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 4.3a Using Creative Strategies
- Video: 4.3b The Importance of Creativity
- Reading: 4.3c Creative Ideation Strategies
- Practice Quiz: 4.3 Review
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 4.4a Evaluating Solutions
- Video: 4.4b Strategies for Evaluating Solutions
- Discussion Prompt: Evaluating Solutions
- Practice Quiz: 4.4 Review
Graded: Summative Quiz - Module 4
Graded: Discussion Board Self-Assessment - Module 4
WEEK 5
Communicating Solutions & Solving Problems in Academic Life
After this module, you will be able to 1. Communicate your solutions to problems to your audience. 2. Study for university exams, & communicate your solutions to problems in exams. 3. Deal with competing priorities at university. 4. Find solutions to problems that can occur at university.
10 videos, 6 readings, 4 practice quizzes
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Discussion Prompt: Brain Teaser: The Trolley Problem
- Video: 5.1b Communicating Solutions in Written & Oral Form
- Practice Quiz: 5.1 Review
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 5.2a Communicating Solutions in Exams
- Reading: 5.2b Exam Checklist
- Discussion Prompt: Exam Strategies
- Practice Quiz: 5.2 Review
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 5.3a Group Problem Solving
- Video: 5.3b Solving Group Problems
- Video: 5.3c Group Work at University
- Reading: 5.3d Active Listening Techniques
- Practice Quiz: 5.3 Review
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 5.4a Problems, Problems, Problems
- Video: 5.4b Organisation & Time Management
- Video: 5.4c Learning to De-Stress & Let Things Go
- Video: 5.4d Where to Find Help
- Practice Quiz: 5.4 Review
- Discussion Prompt: Spy Game
Graded: Summative Quiz - Module 5
Graded: Discussion Board Self-Assessment - Module 5
WEEK 6
Summative Assessment
3 readings
- Discussion Prompt: End Of Course Discussion
- Reading: Summative Assessment Overview
- Reading: How to mark your peers' assignments
- Reading: Practice peer making activity answers
Graded: Describing your Problem-Solving Processes
FAQs
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| Access to course materials | Available |
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Ratings and Reviews
Such a great course... it has helped me so much to prepare for going to University.
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Good course!!!!!!!!!