FOUNDATION IN DESIGN

MODULE OUTLINE
July 2015

Creative Thinking Skills

DST30204

Prepared by Charles Sharma Naidu

Foundation in Design

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MODULE DETAILS AND CONTACTS

NOTE: Please READ & RETAIN this Module Handbook for reference throughout the semester

FOUNDATION IN DESIGN

Creative Thinking Skills

DST30204
Credit Hours
Successful completion of the module earns you 4 credits

Module Duration
18 weeks
2 hours lecture & 3 hours tutorial a week

Pre Requisite Module

None

Contact Hours (SLT)

Lecture (L): 28 hours, Tutorial (T): 48 hours, Practical (P): 0 hours & Others (O): 88 hours
Total Guided Independent Learning (TGIL): 160 hours

Facilitators
Charles Sharma Naidu
Sufina Abu Bakar
Delliya Mohd Zain
Fu Yen Huei
Iffa Mohd Nayan
The Design School @ Taylors
Division of Engineering, Architecture, Building and Design
Taylor's University
Taylor's Lakeside Campus @ C9.27
No. 1, Jalan Taylor's PJS 7/13
47500 Petaling Jaya
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Tel: (+603) 5629 5461
Charles.Sharma@taylors.edu.my
Sufina.AbuBakar@taylors.edu.my
YenHuei.Fu@taylors.edu.my
Delliya.MohdZain@taylors.edu.my
NoorulIffa.MohdNayan@taylors.edu.my

Class Guide and Courtesy

As courtesy to both facilitator and students, please refrain from using your mobile phone or set it
to silent mode when class is in session.
Absence from class requires a legitimate medical certificate or consent letter from parent or
guardian. 80% of attendance is required in order to pass this module.

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All students are required to be punctual for classes. There is a 30-minute grace period, after which
students will be marked as absent.

MODULE AIMS &

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Aims
This module aims to develop students critical thinking and idea generation abilities through the
investigation and application of a wide range of thinking skills and techniques. They will
understand the modes of thinking commonly associated with critical thinking (left-brain),
creative thinking (right brain) as well as the holistic (whole brain) thinking approach. Through
the application of divergent and convergent thinking methods, they will research, develop and
present ideas and conclusions in the form of tangible statements. Knowledge and skills acquired
will support the students learning through the stages of study to follow.
1. To encourage and inculcate the practice of recording ideas visually based on the theory
and practice of creative thinking.
2. To encourage and inculcate the practice of critical analytical thought through topical
discourse and inquiry based on sound creative thinking strategies.
3. To facilitate the recognition of creative thinking and personal development through
assessment and evaluation of a body of work, compiled as a portfolio.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module, the students will be able to:
1. Recognize important creative strategies in problem-solving;
2. Describe the use of creative thinking strategies within their field of study;
3. Demonstrate their knowledge by applying creative strategies in a variety of assignments; selfexamine their learning through introspection (e-portfolio).

Major TGC Acquired in This Module

Module Learning Outcomes and Taylors Graduate Capabilities (TGC) acquired by students upon
successful completion of the module.
Taylor's Graduate Capabilities Matrix Mapping

TGC
1.1

1.2

1.3

2.1

2.2

2.3

3.1

3.2

4.1

5.1

5.2

6.1

6.2

6.3

7.1

7.2

8.1

Learning Outcome
LO 1

LO 2

LO 3

Project / Assignment Brief

Continuous Assessment 50%

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Idea Journal 20%

Assignment 1
10%

Assignment 2
10%

Assignment 3
10%

Final Assessment 40%

Individual 10%

Group 30%

E-Portfolio 10%
E-portfolio 10%

Marking Criteria
Critical & creative
thinking 20%
Able to put theories
into practice 20%
Locate, Extract,
synthesize and
utilize information
effectively 20%
Communicate
appropriately in
various settings &
modes 20%
Effective use of ICT
and related
technology 20%

10

Bring Your Own

Device (BYOD) to
Classrooms

Virtual Simulation
and / or Gaming

Video Production
(Assignment
Submission by
Students)
10

10

Estimated %
of Blended
Learning

Total Blended
Learning Hours

20

Others

10

Plagiarism
Checking

Blogs / Wikis

10

Information
Retrieval Before
Lectures and / or
Tutorials

Lecture Capture
(Pre-recorded)

Online Discussion
Forum

Lecture Capture

15

Online
Assessment/
Quizzes

Online Lectures /
Tutorials

Blended Learning Initiative

95

56%

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MODULE WEEKLY PLAN (July 2015)

Weekly Plan
Week

Topic

Week 1

Introduction to Creative
Thinking Skills

Week 2

TOPIC: DEVELOPING
THINKING SKILLS

Week 3

TOPIC: CREATIVE
IDEATION

Contents

Lecture01: Introduction to ZIG-ZAG, idea-journal and

ice breaking

Lecture02: Step 1: Ask The Problem Question;

discovering solutions with existing issues - Asking the
right question. Egg briefing

Lecture03: Step 2: Learn The Importance of

Knowledge

Delivery
Methods
Lecture,
activities
class
organisation
and
requirements
Lecture,
Tutorial,
activity

Lecture,
Tutorial,
activity

Egg submission (10%)

Week 4

TOPIC: OBSERVATION

Week 5

TOPIC: PLAYFULNESS
PT1

Week 6

TOPIC: PLAYFULNESS
PT2

Week 7

TOPIC: PLAYFULNESS
PT3

Lecture04: Step 3: Look The Power of Observation

Lecture,
Tutorial,
activity

Lecture05: Step 4: Play (Part 1) The Power of

Creative Play in the Ideation Process (First Practice)

Lecture,
Tutorial,
activity

Mask briefing

Lecture06: Step 4: Play (Part 2) The Power of

Creative Play in the Ideation Process (Second Practice)

Lecture07: Step 4: Play (Part 3) The Power of

Creative Play in the Ideation Process (Third Practice)

Lecture,
Tutorial,
activity
Lecture,
Tutorial,
activity

Mask submission (10%)

Semester Break

Week 8

TOPIC: THINKING OUT

LOUD

Week 9

TOPIC: CRITICAL
THINKING

Lecture08: Step 5: Think The Mapping Out of Ideas.

Lecture,
Tutorial,
activity

Lecture09: Step 6: Fuse Combining Ideas to boost

Innovation

Lecture,
Tutorial,
activity

Fuse assignment brief

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Week 10

TOPIC: INNOVATION

Lecture10: Step 7: Choose Know What Youre

Looking For.

Submission

Submission of Fuse assignment (10%)

Lecture,
Tutorial,
activity

Week 12

TOPIC: SYNTHESIS

Lecture12: Step 8: Make Putting It All Together

(Creation) FINAL PROJECT BRIEF

Lecture,
Tutorial,
activity

Week 13

FINAL PROJECT
TUTORIALS

Introduction and overview

Week 14

FINAL PROJECT
TUTORIALS

Team based tutorials

Week 15

FINAL PROJECT
TUTORIALS

Progress crit session

Tutorial,
activity

Week 16

FINAL PROJECT
TUTORIALS

Team based tutorials

Tutorial,
activity

Week 17

FINAL PROJECT
PRESENTATION

Final Presentation (40%)

SUBMISSION OF IDJ (20%)

Week 11

Week 18

E-Portfolio submission

* Note: This module outline is subject to change with short notice. = online and journal activities

Lecture,
Tutorial,
activity

Lecture,
Tutorial,
activity

Tutorial,
activity

Presentation
activity

Tutorial,
activity

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ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Marking Criteria & % Distribution

(%)

LO1

LO2

LO3

50

40

10

Continuous Assessment (50%)

Breakdown

Mark(%)

Idea journal

20%

Assignment 1

10%

Assignment 2

10%

Assignment 3

10%

Final Assessment (40%)

Breakdown

Mark(%)

Individual

10%

Group

30%

E-portfolio (10%)
Total

100

Mandatory Criteria:
It is compulsory to attempt all components of graded assessments. Failing to attempt one or
cumulative of components worth 20% or more, the student would be graded D, by which a
resubmission will be granted even though the student has achieved more than 50% in the
overall assessment.

MODULE REFERENCES
Recommended Reading
1. Sawyer, K. (2013). Zig Zag: The Surprising Path to Greater Creativity. Wiley. com.
2. Michalko, M. (2010). Thinkertoys: A handbook of creative-thinking techniques. Random House
Digital, Inc.
Other References
1. Liu, E., & Noppe-Brandon, S. (2011). Imagination first: Unlocking the power of possibility. John
Wiley & Sons.
2. Michalko, M. (2001). Cracking creativity: The secrets of creative genius. Random House Digital, Inc.
3. Buzan, T. & Buzan, B. (1996). The Mind Map Book: How to Use Radiant Thinking to Maximize Your
Brain's Untapped Potential, Plume; Reprint Edition.
4. Pink, D.H. (2005). A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future. Riverhead Books
For referencing purpose:
http://taylorslibrary.taylors.edu.my/user_skills/user_support_students
Note: Once on the webpage, scroll down to item E. Referencing

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GRADING SCHEME
Grade

Marks

80 100

Grade
Points

4.00

A-

75 79

3.67

B+

70 74

3.33

65 69

3.00

B-

60 64

2.67

C+

55 59

2.33

50 54

2.00

D+

47 49

1.67

44 46

1.33

D-

40 43

1.00

Definition

Description

Excellent

Evidence of original thinking; demonstrated

outstanding capacity to analyze and
synthesize; outstanding grasp of module
matter; evidence of extensive knowledge
base

Very Good

Evidence of good grasp of module matter;

critical capacity and analytical ability;
understanding of relevant issues; evidence
of familiarity with the literature

Good

Evidence of grasp of module module;

critical capacity and analytical ability,
reasonable understanding of relevant
issues; evidence of familiarity with the
literature

Pass

Evidence of some understanding of the

module matter; ability to develop solutions
to simple problems; benefitting from his/her
university experience

Marginal
Fail

Evidence of nearly but not quite acceptable

familiarity with
subject matter, weak in critical and
analytical skills.

0 39

0.00

Fail

Insufficient evidence of understanding of

the module matter; weakness in critical
and analytical skills; limited or irrelevant
use of the literature

WD

Withdrawn

Withdrawn from a module before census

date, typically mid semester

F(W)

0.00

Fail

Withdrawn after census date, typically mid

semester
An interim notation given for a module
where a student has not completed certain
requirements with valid reason or it is not
possible to finalise the grade by the
published deadline

IN

Incomplete

Pass

Given for satisfactory completion of

practicum

AU

Audit

Given for a module where attendance is for

information only without earning academic
credit

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POLICIES
Students must attend all the consultation sessions in class and constantly show individual
progression until the week of deadline. 80% attendance is the basic requirement of this module.
Students failing to meet this requirement will face a penalty of mark percentage deduction. Any
progression checks after due dates will not be accepted, unless you have valid reasons with
supportive documents.
Assignment Submission
Assignments MUST be submitted on the due date handed personally to your module lecturer.
Assignments can be submitted before the due date outside of class with the prior agreement of the
lecturer.
Late Assignments / Extensions
Work that is submitted after the due date will be penalised. 2 marks will be deducted every
subsequent day after failure to submit on the deadline set by the lecturers. Deduction applies on
weekdays and Saturday. No work will be accepted after one week of delay from the deadline given,
unless you have valid reasons with supportive documents. Extensions can only be granted if a
student can show adequate progress towards completion of the assessment and there are
extenuating circumstances preventing them from delivering the assessment on the due date. In the
case of a request of an extension due to medical circumstances, students must produce an original
medical certificate. The lecturer will only give extensions for a total amount of time not exceeding
the equivalent number of days the medical certificate considered valid.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a breach of intellectual property; the act of using or copying someone elses idea or
work and trying to present it as your own. It is taking and using someone elses work without
proper attribution.
Intellectual Property involves:
Another persons idea, opinion, or theory
Any facts, statistics, graphs, drawingsany pieces of informationthat are not common
knowledge
Quotations of another persons actual spoken or written words
Paraphrase of another persons spoken or written words
Issues of intellectual property extend beyond the written word of course. Bear in mind that the use
of still images, moving images, audio or any other content which you have not created yourself, and
which you do not have the appropriate permission to use, is an serious offence resulting in a FAIL
grade for the subject.
Using Internet Sources
The World Wide Web has become a popular source of information for students papers, and many
questions have arisen about how to avoid plagiarising these sources. In most cases, the same rules
apply as for a printed source: when you refer to ideas or quote from a WWW site, you must cite that
source.If you want to use visual information from a WWW site, many of the same rules apply.
Copying visual information or graphics from a WWW site (or from a printed source) into a paper is
very similar to quoting information, and the source of the visual information or graphic must be cited.
These rules also apply to other uses of textual or visual information from WWW sites.

Module Coordinator:
Date:

Programme Director:
Date:

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Reference:
Taylors Graduate Capabilities (TGC)
1. Discipline Specific Knowledge
1.1 Able to put theories into practice
1.2 Understand ethical issues in the context of the field of study
1.3 Understand professional practice within the field of study
2. Lifelong Learning
2.1 Learn Independently
2.2 Locate, Extract, synthesize and utilize information effectively
2.3 Be intellectual engaged
3. Thinking and Problem Solving skills
3.1 Think critically and creatively
3.2 Define and analyze problems to arrive at effective solutions
4. Communication Skills
4.1 Communicate appropriately in various settings and modes
5. Interpersonal Skills
5.1 Understand team dynamics and mobilize the power of teams
5.2 Understand and assume leadership
6. Intrapersonal Skills
6.1 Manage oneself and be self reliant
6.2 Reflection ones action and learning
6.3 Embody Taylors core values
7. Citizenship and Global Perspectives
7.1 Be aware of and form opinions from diverse perspectives
7.2 Understand the value of civic responsibility and community
engagement
8. Digital Literacy
8.1 Effective use of ICT and related technology