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ACG708 - Design Thinking and Problem Solving

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 1: Russell Kennedy
Cohort rule:Nil
Prerequisite:

Nil

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: Nil
Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

1 x 2-hour seminar per week

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

Online independent and collaborative learning activities including weekly engagement with materials

Content

This unit will investigate ‘design thinking’ as a strategic methodology and problem solving process. Taking a multidiscipline/interdisciplinary approach, students will be required to use ‘design thinking’ as a problem solving process, which taps into processes that have been traditionally overlooked in favour of more conventional problem solving practices. ‘Design thinking’ also allows people who are not trained as designers to use creative tools to address a vast range of challenges. ‘Design thinking’ methods will require students to adopt a human-centered approach to innovation that draws on their skills to integrate the needs of people, the possibilities of technology, and the requirements of business and society as a whole. Students will be placed in teams and will use ‘Design Thinking’ methods in an attempt to solve a ‘wicked problem’.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1

Demonstrate advanced discipline specific knowledge and capabilities. Research, plan and produce solutions by employing ‘design thinking’ processes

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

ULO2

Demonstrate sophisticated and effective communication skills using a range of methods and media. Transmit ideas, analysis, findings and strategies through advanced written and oral presentation. Report on findings, which include recommendations to advance the process

GLO2: Communication

ULO3

Employ a range of specialist skills using ‘design thinking’ processes to source, analyse, generate and disseminate ideas to an advanced level. Develop a method to involve the public in the process (web site, public meeting, survey, prototype testing)

GLO3: Digital literacy

ULO4

Acquire advanced skills in the critical evaluation of contemporary practices and judgement of the role disciplines can play in ‘design thinking’ strategy. Apply participatory methods (workshop) to establish a brief and to explore potential solutions to identified problems

GLO4: Critical thinking

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1: Research Exercise - discover, discuss and present different design thinking models, methodologies and practice methods 1500 words
or equivalent
30% Week 4
Assessment 2: (Group of 4-5 students) Project Proposal - 5-step design thinking workshop 1500 words
or equivalent
30% Week 9
Assessment 3: Final report of process - Analysing, evaluating and reflecting on a design thinking workshop 2000 words
or equivalent
40% Week 11

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via ACG708
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

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