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University of Minnesota

Creative Problem Solving

University of Minnesota via Coursera

Overview

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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.

Syllabus

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

      While much of this course has focused on ways to improve your own creativity, the larger goal of the course is for you to continue to develop your own creativity, in your own way and in your own life. This module continues the development creativity and give you the chance to begin planning your continued development.

Taught by

Brad Hokanson and Marit McCluske

Reviews

3.4 rating, based on 19 Class Central reviews

4.4 rating at Coursera based on 2324 ratings

Start your review of Creative Problem Solving

  • Just tried it a few months ago, but wasn't interested enough in the introductory presentation to go further.
    Didn't actually planned to review this course (confused it with another one, although I took both), but couldn't find how to cancel my review. Probably better not to take my opinion into account. Sorry for that...
  • It is a course designed to develop creativity. There is a few theorical concepts and a lot of practical exercises.
  • Bart
    I dropped pretty early, so my review is only about the first few weeks into the course.

    During the lectures I noticed the ideas about creativity did not stroke with my own. I opted out of the course, not adding their ideas to my won. The material and the method the material was taught did not resonate with me. It felt more like a self-help book for the confidence and Facebook like atmosphere for the 'fun' than an actual course. The course could probably be very good to achieve certain personal goals. And could probably be very interesting if you are into that content and style. And certainly fun for those who like the approach. But I'm dropping this one.
  • RoosWilhelm
    I enjoyed thinking up the practical creative exercises, and the mood in the discussion rooms is positive and fun. The theory on creativity is presented in a very simple, understandable way - whether it suits you depends a bit on how much you have read on creativity before and on your learning style. The course doesn't take up a lot of time, so check it out and see for yourself.
  • Profile image for Hazal
    Hazal
    The course is overall helpful, can't say it is completely useless, but I can't either say that I really enjoyed it. It gives you the opportunity to train and develop your creativity by the assignments and quizzes, but I found it very repetitive. So it won't be a loss of time if you take it, but there are more interesting MOOCs you can privilege.
  • Finished the course, the creative assignment was rather funny. all in all I cannot say that the course was very in depth, but it's a nice introductory course with a lot of practical tips.
  • Dana Alan Dyke
    I found the layout for the course difficult to follow. Need to did and paw to find correct links. No logical plan set fourth. "lessons" seem somewhat pointless.
  • Sunita Sahu
    Problem is most difficult part of our daily life but its better then to solve the problem. Problem have many type like home problem, work problem, office problem etc but people have a talent to over come the problem
  • Anonymous
    Creative problem solving course is good .I like it.i am continue reading and watching videos i am i inspired after watching video.your course is very good.
  • Boring attitude, bad filming (they read from a paper) and you can't find the resources they mention in the videos.
  • Abdul Holik
    Matap mantap mantap mantap mantap mantap mantap mantap mantap mantap mantap mantap mantap mantap mantap mantap mantap mantap mantap mantap
  • Profile image for Amit Kumar Singh
    Amit Kumar Singh
    The course is overall helpful, can't say it is completely useless, but I can't either say that I really enjoyed it. It gives you the opportunity to train and develop your creativity by the assignments and quizzes, but I found it very repetitive. So it won't be a loss of time if you take it, but there are more interesting MOOCs you can privilege.
  • C T
  • Devkinandan Sharma
    Devkinandan Sharma my interest team work and team leadership and my interest read new books company me best krne ke liye problem solving tool ka used kre or company me lean manufacturing tools used kre
  • Annisa Shafira
    Doesn't suit my personality and i'm highly uncomfortable with the assignments. The lessons are great, though! Just not the best for me.
  • Kellie Marks
  • Anonymous
    the course was amazing learned alot about problem solving that i will apply to my daily activities and work activities.
  • Profile image for Michela Perversi
    Michela Perversi

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