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Design thinking: The game is on

Beatriz Acevedo

Category: Anglia Learning & Teaching

25 February 2019

After almost two years of preparations, convolutions and many meetings, we have finally launched the module 006114 Design Thinking.

Thanks to a strategic project at the Centre for Innovation in Higher Education (CIHE), we managed to put this idea together and get sufficient time and resources to run the module.

It is a hands-on course that covers using the tools of Design Thinking, a methodology integrating creative-based and management methodologies for problem solving, entrepreneurship and business innovation. This is a prototype module offered initially to the MSc International Business students, in a collaboration between Cambridge School of Art and the Faculty of Business and Law. We are working with seven talented students, most of them coming from the Netherlands (as part of their exchange programme with Hanze University of Applied Sciences). A small group perfect for a collaborative process, allowing both students and academics to grow together and learn from each other.

This is a major opportunity for us is to integrate several key agendas and priorities of Anglia Ruskin University: we want to make this module an exemplar for the Active Curriculum and the use of action learning; we aim to implement the ideas of the Graduate Capitals Model of the Employability Strategy; and we want to test the use of MyShowcase (ePortfolio) for the assessment, while weaving together our skills in management and art-based methodologies.

The amazing team is comprised of Dr Michelle Fava, currently working as Head of Knowledge Exchange for Social Enterprise and Innovation at the Judge Business School (University of Cambridge) and Dr Beatriz Acevedo, artist, educator, academic lead for employability and also currently undertaking a 15-week funded strategic project in CIHE. The initiative is further supported by Dr Swetketu Patnaik, MSc International Business Director and Dr Chris Owen, visiting senior fellow of CIHE and Head of Cambridge School of Art. We have been supported by the magnificent Ian Lea Martin, Learning Technologist in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS). He has been incredible and his knowledge of education and technologies have been crucial. Thanks to him we were able to devise a very friendly interface for the Canvas site, where students can see the different aspects of each session in one location, and he has been instrumental in our use of Myshowcase both as a learning platform and as a graduate product where students can demonstrate their skills acquired in the module.  And of course we are supported by the great team at Anglia Learning & Teaching, Ania Norman and Stéphanie Jacometti, and my lovely colleagues at CIHE: Cassie Fox, Emma Coonan and Simon Pratt-Adams.

I plan to keep blogging about this experience, and if you wish to join us please drop by on Mondays during SEM 2, 9am–12pm, HEL310 or email [email protected]

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The views expressed here are those of the individual and do not necessarily represent the views of Anglia Ruskin University. If you've got any concerns please contact us.