Course Title: Develop and extend critical and creative thinking skills

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2020

Course Code: EMPL7113C

Course Title: Develop and extend critical and creative thinking skills

Important Information:

See Canvas

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4386 - Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation

Course Contact: Allan Maree

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 1601

Course Contact Email: allan.maree@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 40

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop the habit of thinking in a more creative way through looking at things differently, musing, testing, experimenting and challenging existing thought patterns.

It applies to individuals who need to develop and extend their critical and creative thinking skills to different issues and situations and have a range of problem solving, evaluation and analysis skills.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

BSBCRT301 Develop and extend critical and creative thinking skills

Element:

1. Develop a questioning mindset

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Develop the habit of asking questions from different perspectives 1.2 Take responsibility for exploring a variety of information sources to provide relevant answers to own questions 1.3 Sort through information and ideas to identify the central questions, issues and challenges 1.4 Challenge preconceptions and assumptions to determine actual constraints in defining a problem for resolution

Element:

2. Generate ideas and responses

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Explore and use a range of creative thinking techniques to generate ideas and responses 2.2 Muse on, play around with and have fun with ideas in relation to a perceived objective 2.3 Identify and challenge blockers to creative thinking 2.4 Consider and explore realities beyond the current situation 2.5 Evaluate, and where appropriate, challenge existing boundaries to determine perceived or actual constraints 2.6 Show willingness to take risks with ideas and thought processes 2.7 Look around in familiar and unfamiliar places for new inspiration and habitually record observations, experiences, ideas and reflective thoughts to broaden personal knowledge base 2.8 Acknowledge and accept the opportunity for revelation when least expected 2.9 Identify connections and associations from things that seem unconnected

Element:

3. Challenge, test and reinvent ideas

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Identify, interrogate and challenge the assumptions behind ideas 3.2 Experiment with variations, and explore and challenge a range of different solutions and ideas 3.3 Consciously change perspectives, and evaluate ideas and situations in new ways 3.4 Where appropriate, involve others in ideas and how they might change or be improved

Element:

4. Enhance creative thinking skills

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Consciously challenge and question own thought patterns and ways of responding to work and life situations 4.2 Identify and take opportunities to self assess and to learn about new ideas and different ways of thinking 4.3 Take opportunities to practise and experiment with creative thinking techniques across work and life situations 4.4 Pro actively talk to others about ways that new ideas and patterns of thinking can be encouraged and developed

Learning Outcomes


See Canvas


Details of Learning Activities

A range of learning activities are provided in this course. These include collaborative classroom-based activities and online self-paced activities.  Classroom: The collaborative classroom-based activities will include group discussion, group problem solving activities and opportunities to practice your skills in a simulated workplace environment.  We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities.  Pre-Class: This is online, by logging on to your Canvas course, and includes any required pre-class reading and activities. Other self-paced activities will be delivered through various technology platforms. These may include your contribution to discussions, reflective journals, quizzes and interactive sessions.  Sessions: There are face-to-face classroom sessions (see timetable) for this unit each week which includes tutorials and workshops.  There are additional activities to support learning and research.


Teaching Schedule

The course BSBCRT301 Develop and extend critical and creative thinking skills is clustered (co-delivered and co-assessed) with course BSBSMB302 Develop a micro business proposal and BSBWOR404 Develop work priorities.  The nominal hours associated with this are a guide only and represent the total teaching time and student effort required to successfully complete the course.  This may include not only scheduled classes but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

The Teaching Schedule for this course is as follows:

Week

Commencing

Topic

Assessment

1

6 July

 

Introduction to this course

 

Creativity and asking questions

Journal entry

Knowledge quiz

2

13 July

Mind mapping

 Journal entry

3

20 July

 

Critical and creative thinking 1

 Journal entry

Knowledge quiz

4

27 July

 

Micro business

 

 Journal entry

Knowledge quiz

5

3 August

 

SWOT analysis

 

Journal entry

Knowledge quiz

6

10 August

 

Work planning

 

Journal entry

Knowledge quiz

7

17 August

 

Professional development

 

Journal entry

Knowledge quiz

8

24 August

(31 August - Mid-Semester Break)

Risk ID and finance

Journal entry

Knowledge quiz

9

 7 September

E-commerce and business planning

Journal entry

Knowledge quiz

10

14 September

Creative and critical thinking 2 

Journal entry

11

21 September

Creative and critical thinking 2 

Journal entry

12

28 September

Presenting the shark tank

Journal entry

13

5 October

Presentation and business plan preparation

 

14

12 October

Presentation and business plan preparation

Business plan

15

19 October

Shark tank presentation

Shark tank presentation

16

26 October

Feedback and course review

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

See Canvas  

 


Overview of Assessment

In order to achieve competency in this unit, you must provide:

Evidence of the ability to:

  • ask relevant questions to challenge and enhance creative thinking
  • use various information sources to provide answers to own questions
  • use a range of creative thinking techniques to generate ideas or responses to questions or issues
  • record ideas in response to a predetermined issue or situation.

 Note: if a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

Knowledge Evidence

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

  • explain why it is important to consider different perspectives when asking questions
  • list and describe different creative thinking techniques
  • describe common blockers to creative thinking,
  • explain boundaries that need to be considered when generating ideas and responses
  • describe ways of extending and developing individual creative thinking skills.

 Assessment Conditions

  • Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in the creativity and innovation – critical thinking field of work and include access to specific challenges and situations to which creative thinking may be applied.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions.  You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed.  Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.


Assessment Tasks

You are required to successfully complete all assessment tasks to be deemed competent in this course.  NOTE:  Details about specific tasks and assessment criteria will be included in Canvas.  

Assessment task

BSBCRT301 Develop and extend critical and creative thinking skills

BSBSMB302 Develop a micro business proposal 

 

BSBWOR404 Develop Work Priorities

 

Task 1 – Journal entries

(Weeks 1-12)

X

X

X

Task 2 – Knowledge questions

(Weeks 1, 3-10)

X

X

X

Task 3 – Business plan

(Week 14)

 

X

 

Task 4 – Shark Tank presentation

(Week 15)

X

X

X
  Assessment Task 1

Final journal is assessment task-1  that you will completing and submitting on due date.

Final Journal should reflect the week -1 to week 12 journal entries and topic name in the title. For example, your first Journal entry would be Week 1, Creativity and asking questions.

Your teacher will provide you feedback on Final journal after you successfully complete and submit the task-1 on canvas.This is a form of summative assessment during your course.

Assessment Task 2

There are 9 short online quizzes in total.

·  The quizzes are conducted in week 1 & weeks 2-10.

·  Each Quiz has between 1 & 5 questions.

These quizzes test your knowledge on key issues and concepts of following topics

1.     Creativity and asking questions

2.     Mind Mapping

3.     Creative and critical thinking

4.     Micro business proposal

5.     S.W.O.T analysis

6.     Work planning

7.     Professional Development

8.     Risk ID and finance

9.     E-commerce and business planning

Assessment Task 3

You are developing a business proposal in this assessment task. You will complete all section of the provided Business Plan template (included the start-up costs template).

Assessment Task 4

Shark Tank presentation using PowerPoint.

The above task(s) require you to demonstrate the Foundation Skills described in the units for this Cluster.  The Foundation Skills describe language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance. For further information, please refer to the assessment page in Canvas for this course.


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix that maps all the assessments is available on Canvas.

Other Information

Submission Requirements

You should:

     • Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date via Canvas. 
     • Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (hard copy and soft copy)
     • When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use the Assessment task document that includes a declaration and statement of authorship.
     • Each page of your assessment should include a footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers.

Late Submission Procedures

You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates.

Extension of Time.  If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days.

More information: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work
Form to use is found in the section "How to apply."

Special Consideration. Where more than seven days is needed, you must apply for Special Consideration.  Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination.

More information: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/special-consideration

Resubmission (VE Programs)

If you are found to be not yet competent/unsatisfactory in a course assessment task (or you do not submit the assessment tasks/attend the assessment) you will be allowed one resubmission.  Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission in Canvas. 

If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

Adjustments to Assessment

In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. 

More information: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/adjustments-to-assessment

Marking Guide (Competency):

You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying.  You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you about your progress and how well you are performing.

 

CA Competency Achieved

NYC Not Yet Competent

DNS Did not Submit for Assessment

Course Overview: Access Course Overview