Hazel MessengerUHBSH.Messenger2@herts.ac.uk

Developing creativity through assessment using case studies

The relevance of creativity

What is creativity?

• An abilityCombining, changing,

adapting, reapplying• An attitudeAccept change, flexible, looking

for new opportunities • A processLooking for improvements and

solutions, not a ‘stroke of brilliance’

• Creative potential• Creative leadership• Creative management• Creative problem solving• Creative thinking• Creative performance• Creative behaviour• Creative environment• Creative process

BA(Hons) Professional Studies

• IDS/BS development• Level 6 only• 1 year part time• Sat/Wed eve• Entry from FD or APEL/APL• Relates to working context• Delivered as complete

modules• Assessment activities

within taught sessions

• Personal development• Organisation

development• Creativity development• People development• Project planning

applications• Collaborative enquiry• Dissertation

Creativity development : module aims

• Developing the creative capacities of individuals and organisations to solve problems and be innovative.

• Being imaginative, flexible and practical, and being able apply these attributes appropriately in a variety of situations.

• Development of the awareness of creativity, how organisations can promote these attributes in the workplace

• Reflection on the implementation of skills and techniques associated with problem solving and innovation.

Creativity development• Knowledge and Understanding•

A1 Demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of the psychological, environmental, behavioural and motivational theories underlying creative thinking

• A2 Recognise the purpose of selected methods for enhancing creative thinking in individuals and organisations

• A3 Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the influence of individual behaviours and workplace environments on creative thinking

• 2.2 Skills and Attributes

• Successful students will typically…B1. Critically reflect upon the impact of creative thinking on the development of individuals and organisations

• B2. Apply and critically evaluate selected methods for enhancing creative thinking in individuals and organisations

• B3 Analyse individual behaviours and work environments to determine whether they support or inhibit creative thinking

Assessments 1 and 2

1 . 1,000 word essayDiscuss the psychological, behavioural, environmental and

motivational theories underlying creative thinking and its relationship to the modern workplace.

2. 1,000 word reflective portfolio A reflective portfolio of 3 techniques which may be used to

enhance creative problem solving and innovation in the workplace

Assessment 3

• A case study which will be used to explore the development of creative thinking in particular individuals and organizations. The case study will help to illustrate how environments and behaviours can support or inhibit creative thinking in the workplace.

• Maximum 300 words or the equivalent (e.g. to include a cartoon, model, mind map,

drawing, collage, photographs etc)

• The case study will be presented by you for group comment and discussion (and recorded)

• Submitted with a 700 word critical analysis to show how environments and behaviours

can support or inhibit creative thinking in the workplace

Case studies

• Collage• Graphic images• Objects• Storytelling• Model making• Cartoon strip• Traditional summary

Graphics and modelmaking

A Case Study

Comic strip

Using (For example)

ToonDoo

http://www.toondoo.com/user/toondude