Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

The course aims to cultivate the creative, analytical, and systems thinking skills essential for future professionals. This course presents known theories of human creativity and real-world successful examples for renewal and innovation. This gives courage and boost for acting as a change maker in the future occupation.

After completing the course, the student will be able to:
• know how to develop a creative mindset by cultivating imaginative thinking.
• identify and learn from instances where a creative mindset led to successful outcomes.
• understand the role of leadership in fostering a culture of innovation and future orientation.
• have knowledge of different methods and tools to boost thinking and creativity.

Content (course unit)

The contents include the followings:
• Creative mindset: using your imagination & envisioning solutions
• Critical mindset: challenging the current state
• Sustainable innovation and business models
• Systems thinking: networking, understanding entities, dynamic relations, interaction
• Startup Spirit: spotting opportunities, acting with forward looking attitude
• Customer understanding: Phenomena and hypothesis thinking
• Visualizing the challenges using artistic methods, audiovisuals, storytelling
• Freedom to express: art and experiential approach to complex problem solving
• Creativity boost: Drama methods & Gamification for self-discovery, self-awareness, ideation

Prerequisites (course unit)

None.

Further information (course unit)

Implementation plan.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student demonstrates selected ability to generate ideas and solutions through imaginative thinking. He/she displays limited application of creative thinking techniques to solve problems. Evidence of growth in creativity is limited. The student is capable to identify real-world examples where a creative mindset led to successful outcomes. The student shows a basic understanding of the role of leadership in developing a culture of innovation. He/she exhibits limited familiarity with leadership strategies for driving creativity and innovation. The student attempts to use methods and tools to stimulate creative thinking, but effectiveness varies. Some evaluation of creativity-boosting techniques is evident. The student demonstrates a moderate commitment to continuous learning and adaptation.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student consistently generates novel ideas and solutions through imaginative thinking. Creative thinking techniques are effectively applied to solve problems. The student shows substantial growth in creativity. The student is able to analyzes real-world examples where a creative mindset led to successful outcomes. The student possesses a clear understanding of the role of leadership in developing a culture of innovation. The student exhibits proficiency in using leadership strategies for driving creativity and innovation. The student is capable to utilize various methods and tools to stimulate creative thinking. Thorough evaluation of the effectiveness of creativity-boosting techniques is evident. The student demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous learning and adaptation.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The student consistently generates innovative ideas and solutions through imaginative thinking. He/she can utilize creative thinking techniques to solve complex problems. There is strong evidence of exceptional growth in creativity. The student analyzes and synthesizes real-world examples where a creative mindset led to transformative outcomes. The student holds expertise in shaping leadership practices to foster a culture of innovation. He/she demonstrated innovative leadership strategies for driving creativity and innovation. The student skillfully employs a wide range of methods and tools to stimulate creative thinking. The student is capable to carefully evaluate the effectiveness and impact of creativity-boosting techniques is evident. The student demonstrates an steady commitment to continuous learning, adaptation, and is pushing creative boundaries.

Assessment criteria, pass/fail (course unit)

Not Passed

The student fails to demonstrate the ability to generate novel ideas and solutions through imaginative thinking. He/she exhibits limited or no application of creative thinking techniques to solve problems and lacks evidence of growth in creativity over the duration of the course. The student struggles to identify or analyze real-world examples where a creative mindset led to successful outcomes. The student is unable to describe the role of leadership in developing a culture of innovation. He/she shows limited understanding of leadership strategies for driving creativity and innovation. The student is lacking familiarity with various methods and tools used to stimulate creative thinking. He/she is unable to apply creativity-enhancing methods and tools effectively in assignments or projects. The student does not evaluate the effectiveness of different creativity-boosting techniques and demonstrates little to no commitment to continuous learning and adaptation.

Location and time

September to November 2025.

Details on dates and location will be communicated by coaches.

4 face to face sessions (4hrs) at TAMK
6 online sessions (3hrs) online (Zoom)

Assessment methods and criteria

Students are evaluated by their coaches and peer-evaluation on project work through feedback sessions, project reports and individual assignments.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

The course is facilitated in virtual synchronous sessions (6 sessions, 3 hrs each) and on campus face to face sessions (4 sessions, 4hrs each) between Coach and students in workshop format. Content is co-created and produced amongst coach and students. Students are expected to work asynchronously individually, read, write and produce their individual tasks, and work on their team projects.

The work methodology for this course is based on the coach – student – team relationship, this implies that the teacher assumes a guidance role in the students, rather than a managerial or lecture role, emphasizing the autonomous development of learning processes by the students. In the workshop, the students define the themes of their projects along with some relevant content for their correct development, promoting active, autonomous, and dynamic participation throughout the learning process.

The students are organized into work teams, which develop an innovative and creative thinking approach to project work during the semester, with these teams autonomously develop the ability to manage, solve problems and make decisions in uncertain environments.

Additionally, and along the same lines, individual reading and writing assignments are considered, which allow discussion and critical thinking to be encouraged along with strengthening the theoretical dimension of the workshop.

Learning materials

The course aims to cultivate the creative, analytical, and systems thinking skills essential for future professionals. This course presents known theories of human creativity and real-world successful examples for renewal and innovation. This gives courage and boost for acting as a change maker in the future occupation.

Tools, methods and materials will be available online through Moodle and Mural.

Student workload

The extent of the course is 5 credits, which corresponds to 135 hours of student work. The course is team-project based, supported by individual studies and efforts.

Students will have to complete 3 projects together, contact two mentors to support their work, will work with case studies, perform self and peer evaluations, amongst others.

Content scheduling

Tools, methods and materials will be available online through Moodle in addition to Mural, where students will find space to work and collaborate amongst each other.

The course will be divided into two blocks plus one final challenge. The content is related, but not limited to:

• Creative mindset: using your imagination & envisioning solutions
• Critical mindset: challenging the current state
• Sustainable innovation and business models
• Systems thinking: networking, understanding entities, dynamic relations, interaction
• Startup Spirit: spotting opportunities, acting with forward looking attitude
• Customer understanding: Phenomena and hypothesis thinking
• Visualizing the challenges using artistic methods, audiovisuals, storytelling
• Freedom to express: art and experiential approach to complex problem solving
• Creativity boost: Drama methods & Gamification for self-discovery, self-awareness, ideation

Completion alternatives

If necessary, agreed with your coaches at a sensible time.

Practical training and working life cooperation

There will be international guests joining the lectures to enhance course overview and experience. Guests *might* be issuing challenges for the students to complete. Project teams are required to find and connect with Mentors to enhance and work on their projects.

International connections

There will be international guests joining the lectures to enhance course overview and experience. Guests *might* be issuing challenges for the students to complete. Project teams are required to find and connect with Mentors to enhance and work on their projects.