Enabling Creativity Through Practice

Grant recipient: Geoffery Malleck, Department of Economics

Photo of Geoff Malleck

(Completed.  Project Timeframe: August 2012 - July 2013)

Project description

Through the LITE SEED Funding, I was able to gain the necessary qualifications (certification) to deliver lecture material and associated experiences in the area of disciplined creativity. This will be delivered in my courses on entrepreneurship.

The approach to promoting and practicing creativity, as a catalyst leading to innovation and subsequent venture-creation in post-secondary education is important.

The funding will have a direct impact on over 600 students each year. The exposure to creativity will vary by course but all gain an appreciation of creativity as a necessary and fundamental skill that can be applied in all facets of life. This appreciation along with some basic skills to approach complex problems should deepen the capacity of students.

Dissemination and impact

This activity is embedded in a course promoting creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship as part of the core of the business courses in ARBUS. Three courses (ARBUS 200, 300, 400) have common themes that build on each other and creativity is one of the central themes. The Foursight assessment is a first step in this process.  Students are engaged IF the results of the assessment can be applied and/or tested. The course (ARBUS 200) is continuing to develop both applied and reflective exercises to drive the value.

As uWaterloo seeks to develop Entrepreneurship as part of the core strategy, the experience offered to students in ARBUS 200 should expand to include all undergraduate students. You can't have entrepreneurship without creativity and the experience of ARBUS 200 represents that first stage.

References

Foursight website: http://foursightonline.com/

"Think Better" by Tim Hurson ISBN-10: 0071494936; ISBN-13: 978-0071494939