PED4510 – Learning, Creativity and Innovation
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
What characterizes creative processes, actions, and products? Can people learn to be creative? Is creativity an expression of individual genius or the product of what ‘counts’ as innovation in a knowledge society? How do schools foster the kinds of creative processes and skills that young people will need for the 21st century?
In this course we examine some of the ways in which creativity, learning and innovation have been conceptualized and studied in different research traditions. There is a particular focus on sociocultural perspectives that study creativity as something that is developed through human practices and activities in dialogue with historically-developed tools, genres, and conventions. During the course, perspectives on what characterizes innovation and creative processes in various practices will be discussed and presented, for example:
- How may creative processes be supported in multi-professional group work?
- How is new knowledge developed and used in creative processes within design and product development?
- What are the conditions for developing creativity in informal and formal learning contexts?
These topics will be explored based on research and case studies of creative processes in different kinds of activities. The studies are anchored in a practical-theoretical understanding of human activity and development, emphasizing the reciprocal relationship between people, cultural and material artefacts, and social norms and practices. The course is for students interested in understanding how creativity develops under different conditions, and who want to develop skills in planning and designing for creative processes in different contexts.
The course is aimed at students who are interested in understanding relations between creativity, learning and innovation, and who wish to develop skills in facilitating these processes in different contexts.
Learning outcome
After completing this course, you will have acquired
knowledge of
- psychological and societal conditions for the development of creativity
- characteristics of creative and innovative practices
- theoretical perspectives and models of creativity and innovation
- perspectives on creativity in the Norwegian curriculum
skills in
- methods and techniques for facilitating creativity in light of empirical knowledge of how creativity and innovation are defined, recognized, and learned by participants in various practices
- analyzing how the development of creativity and innovation is accounted for in pedagogical approaches and education policy
competency
- to analyze and understand the conditions for developing creativity and innovation in various settings
- to explain different perspectives on creativity and innovation and discuss analytical implications
- to analyze activities and processes which lead to the development of creativity in others.
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Exchange students
The course is open for all master level applicants.
Erasmus applicants, please click here for information about admission.
Access to the course and exam
Students who have been admitted to the master`s program in Education: Communication, Design and Learning, are guaranteed participation in the course. If capacity allows, other eligible applicants will be considered. Places will be granted according to the time of application. Classes are reserved for students with admission to the course.
Ranking applicants for admission
Eligible applicants, other than students enrolled in this program, will be ranked according to the time of their application.
Course capacity
Minimum 5 and maximum 30.
Prerequisites
Recommended previous knowledge
It is recommended that the 1st semester of the master's program be completed and approved before taking this course.
Teaching
Teaching and teaching methods
The classes will consist of weekly seminars and practical group exercises.
This course is structured around three types of activities:
- lectures
- presentations by the students and discussion of texts
- practical assignments and workshops.
The syllabus constitutes approximately 1000 pages.
Mandatory terms for class participation
The course has two compulsory assignments which must be approved by the teacher before you will be allowed to take the exam. Completion of compulsory assignments requires that you participate in class.
Both compulsory assignments entail working in a group. The teacher must approve your participation in both group assignments as satisfactory before you can take the exam.
- Plan, lead, and complete a group creativity workshop
- Present scientific publication(s) for class discussion
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
Compulsory Assignments
The course has two compulsory assignments. Both must be approved by the teacher before you can take the exam.
- Plan, lead and complete a group creativity workshop
- Present scientific publication(s) for class discussion
Examination
The exam has two parts: an individual, written exam paper as well as an oral exam. Guidelines for the compulsory assignments and exam paper will be announced at the beginning of the semester.
Written exam paper
- individual assignment: academic text, 12-15 pages in length - 50% of the final grade
Oral exam
- 50% of the final grade
Before you can take the oral exam, you must have completed and passed all compulsory assignments and the written exam paper. You must have completed and passed all four compulsory components in order to pass the course.
Examination committee
Written exam: two examiners
Oral exam: two examiners
Grading practice
- Each part of the exam counts for 50% of the final grade.
- You must have passed both the written and oral exams in order to pass the course.
Submit assignments in Inspera
You submit your assignment in the digital examination system Inspera. Read about how to submit your assignment.
Use of sources and citation
You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.
Examination support material
No examination support material is allowed.
Language of examination
You may submit your response in English or Norwegian. With regard to the oral exam, you will be allowed to speak English or Norwegian.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Compulsory assignments, the written exam paper, and the oral exam are taken during the same semester. If you fail the oral exam, but have passed the compulsory assignments and written exam paper, you can retake the oral exam without having to redo the other compulsory components. Compulsory assignments are valid as long as the compulsory components for the course have not changed.
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.