BMA245 Entrepreneurship & Creativity

Semester 2, 2013

THIS UNIT IS BEING OFFERED IN Hobart

Teaching Team: Dr Colin Jones

CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

Contact Details

Unit Coordinator: Campus: Room Number: Email: Phone: Fax: Consultation Time:

Dr Colin Jones Sandy Bay 320c Colin.Jones@utas.edu.au 62 261937 62 262170 All times arrange appointments as required

Contents

Contact Details Page 3 Unit Description . Page 4 Intended Learning Outcomes and Generic Graduate Attributes.... Page 5 Learning Expectations and Teaching Strategies Approach .. Page 6 Learning Resources .. Page 6 Details of Teaching Arrangements Page 7 Assessment Page 7 Submission of Coursework . Page 10 Academic Misconduct and Plagiarism .. Page 11 Study Schedule Page 13

Unit Description
This unit aims to develop your creative problem solving skills and focuses on the use of creative problem solving techniques in everyday life. The unit is a response to the rapidly changing nature of the business environment and the difficulties that individuals and groups can experience in responding to problems brought about by change or the emergence of new paradigms. It covers a wide range of creative problem solving methods including problem definition techniques, idea generation methods, idea evaluation and, importantly, how to gain acceptance of new ideas. At the heart of the unit is an explicit focus on developing selling skills. Selling is seen as the primary skill through which creative confidence is encouraged. Quite frequently in life you are expected to buy the explanations and ideas your family, teachers, friends and communities have sold you. This unit aims to provide you with the independence to understand and plan your future interaction with the world within which you live. In short, this unit offers you an opportunity to reshape the way you live your life. In order to succeed in this unit you must be willing to commit yourself fully to the group work activities and proactively manage your learning. Partnership The University and the Tasmanian State Government entered into a Partnership Agreement in November 2000 that acknowledged the important role which higher education plays in the social and economic development of the Tasmanian community. The Entrepreneurship major is a tangible result of this partnership, and the University acknowledges the support of the Tasmanian State Government, through the Department of Economic Development, in its introduction.

Pre-Requisite/Co-Requisite Unit(s)
Nil

Enrolment in the Unit

Unless there are exceptional circumstances, students should not enrol in BMA units after the end of week two of semester, as the School of Management cannot guarantee that: any extra assistance will be provided by the teaching team in respect of work covered in the period prior to enrolment; and penalties will not be applied for late submission of any piece or pieces of assessment that were due during this period.

Intended Learning Outcomes and Generic Graduate Attributes

Intended Learning Outcomes Assessment Methods In this unit you will learn: In assessing this unit I will be looking at your ability to: Use all four integrated steps of the creative problem solving process. Knowledge of and the ability to use creativity, selling and planning techniques: Strategically interact with your fellow students. Use a structure approach to redefine and solve a problem of your choosing. Demonstrate your knowledge of temperaments and the creative process To be self-aware of their strengths and weaknesses when interacting with others: Your capacity to productively contribute to your groups outcomes. To adjust your behaviour in a strategic manner. Creativity Challenge Trading Game Community Challenge Pre Test Creativity Challenge
The assessments and teaching activities in this unit have been designed to develop the following graduate attributes in students:

Graduate Attribute Outcomes

Knowledge (3) - The ability to transfer and

apply knowledge related to creative problem solving to complex and uncertain business situations and transmit that knowledge to professional peers for critical discussion. Functional lifelong learner for professional and personal career aspirations.

Communication (3) - The ability to engage in

persuasive, succinct oral discussions to communicate and influence other persons.

Trading Game

Problem solving (2) - Effective problemsolving skills including the ability to apply creativity / selling concepts, to a range of multi-dimensional business related problems. An awareness of when additional information is needed and the capacity to locate, analyse and use it.

Express your views in a manner that demonstrates your understanding of your temperament across a range of different contexts. To reflect on learning: Communicate what you have learned about your ability to solve problems and communicate effectively

Community Challenge

Community Challenge

Global perspective (3) - Group and

interpersonal skills to sensitively connect, collaborate and negotiate with people from diverse global cultures and backgrounds in a professional context.

Learning Expectations and Teaching Strategies/Approach

Expectations
The University is committed to a high standard of professional conduct in all activities, and holds its commitment and responsibilities to its students as being of paramount importance. Likewise, it holds expectations about the responsibilities students have as they pursue their studies within the special environment the University offers. The Universitys Code of Conduct for Teaching and Learning states: Students are expected to participate actively and positively in the teaching/learning environment. They must attend classes when and as required, strive to maintain steady progress within the subject or unit framework, comply with workload expectations, and submit required work on time.

Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S)

The University is committed to providing a safe and secure teaching and learning environment. In addition to specific requirements of this unit you should refer to the Universitys policy at: http://www.admin.utas.edu.au/hr/ohs/pol_proc/ohs.pdf.

Learning Resources
Prescribed Text
There is no prescribed text. Key concepts will be communicated via various forms of social media, PowerPoint slides, and online materials.

Recommended Texts
De Bono, E 1996, Serious creativity: using the power of lateral thinking to create new ideas, Harper Collins, Glasgow.

Useful Websites
http://www.teaching-entrepreneurship.com Please Understand Me http://www.keirsey.com/ is a fantastic website by David Keirsey through which you can gain much understanding of your temperament. Edward de Bono http://www.edwdebono.com is Edward de Bonos website which is predominantly text-based, but provides information on most of de Bonos work including Six Hats, Lateral Thinking and the CoRT program for schools. You will also find information about certified trainers, the CoRT lessons CD, videos, the Creative Team and regular messages from Edward de Bono.

My Learning Online (MyLO)

MyLO software has been incorporated into the delivery of this unit to enhance the learning experience by providing access to up to date course materials and by allowing for online discussion through this web based environment. To access MyLO from your own computer you will need the appropriate software, and hardware to run that software. To get started please refer to the Universitys Learning and Teaching with MyLO homepage - http://www.utas.edu.au/learning-teaching-online. Note: Older computers may not have the hardware to run some of the required software applications. Contact your local IT support person or the Service Desk on 6226 1818 if you experience difficulties.

Details of Teaching Arrangements

Workshops
This unit employs one half-day and two full-day workshops. A process of student-centred learning is used whereby you are required to take full responsibility for your learning (for a full explanation of this approach, see http://www.teaching-entrepreneurship.com/bma-213.html. Workshops will be held in Hobart on August 10, 11 and 25. Please note these days are Saturdays and Sundays. Our first meetings will be 9am to 5pm, with the final meeting being 9am to 12pm. Your attendance is vital to ensure you meet the assessment requirements of the unit. If you are unable to attend workshops, you should discuss with your lecturer what steps you can implement to avoid a loss of opportunity to be assessed. It is not possible to catch up next workshop due to time constraints.

Communication, Consultation and Appointments

Teaching staff will be available for consultation by appointment. Teaching staff will respond to email communication within two (2) business days. Please contact via phone/email to arrange a suitable time to meet.

Assessment
Assessment Schedule
In order to pass this unit you must achieve an overall mark of at least 50 per cent of the total available marks. Details of each assessment item are outlined below. Assessment Item Value Due Date Length Pre Test 25 Days 1 15 minutes Creativity Challenge 25 Days 1 and 2 Trading Game 25 Days 1 and 2 Community Challenge 25 Day 3 * Word Limit: The word count includes such items as headings, in-text references, quotes and executive summaries. It does not include the reference list at the end of the assignment. 7

Assessment Item 1 Pre Test

Task Description: On Day 1 you will be given a test of the concepts and theories that you have been asked to learn prior to our first meeting. This will be a multiple question test. The test consists of several questions to which you must indicate the right answer, details of the subject matter, process and nature of assessment can be found here: http://www.teaching-entrepreneurship.com/bma-245.html

Assessment Criteria:

Task Length: Due Date: Value:

The test will take less than 15 minutes At the commencement of Day 1 25 marks

Assessment Item 2 Creativity Challenge

Task Description: During the semester you and your group will have four (4) opportunities to demonstrate your creative talents. The task will begin with your introduction to a problem that exists in your local/global community. Your task is as follows: 1. Redefine the essence of the problem 2. Use a lateral thinking process to generate a range of possible solutions to the problem 3. Use the evaluation process to determine your most desirable solution 4. Determine the basis upon which you will pitch your solution 5. Pitch your solution Your group will be assessed on your ability to complete each of the five steps in the creativity process. You will receive both summative and formative feedback at the conclusion of the presentations. Note: Your group will have an opportunity to practise this process during a trial run on Day 1. Note: Your ultimate grade for this task will be determined assessing your participation in your teams efforts directed at this task. Assessment Criteria: Task Length: See: http://www.teaching-entrepreneurship.com/bma-245.html

You will have 30 minutes to complete this task within each workshop and 5 minutes to present your deliberations. Days 1 and 2 25 marks

Due Date: Value:

Assessment Item 3 Trading Game

Format: Selling is a process of negotiation; it is a process of opportunity recognition and persuasion. During this semester you will play the Trading Game five (5) times (on days 1 and 2). This game while not complicated requires you to develop a very deliberate strategy to succeed. An online tutorial as to the nature and aim of the game will be provided to all students prior to the first workshop, see here: http://www.teaching-entrepreneurship.com/bma-245.html Note: You will have the opportunity to experiment with this task with a practice game on day 1. Assessment Criteria: The highest score possible is 60. Student outcomes will be ranked from highest score to lowest score with equal scores also ranked on the time taken to complete the game. Individual grading will be determined by the overall rankings within each game. The top 20% will receive 85%, the next 20% will receive 75%, the next 20% will receive 65%, the next 20% will receive 55% and the bottom 20% will receive 45%. The top ranked student will receive a bonus of 15% (so 100%). You will have approximately 20 minutes to play the game in each workshop. Days 1 and 2 25 marks

Duration: Due Date: Value:

Assessment Item 4 Community Challenge

Format: During Day 1 and/or Day 2 you will meet with representatives of a local Tasmanian business. They will share with the nature of their operations and a pressing problem they face. You will be given the opportunity to apply the creative problem-solving process to their situation. This will require you (between Day 2 and Day 3) to: Redefine the essence of the problem 1. Use a lateral thinking process to generate a range of possible solutions to the problem 2. Use the evaluation process to determine your most desirable solution 3. Determine the basis upon which you will pitch your solution, and finally, to; 4. Pitch your solution Assessment Criteria: Duration: Due Date Value: See: http://www.teaching-entrepreneurship.com/bma-245.html

N/A Day 3 25 marks (5 marks for problem redefinition, 5 marks for creative ideas, 5 marks for the quality of your pitch and 10 marks for your Personal Learning Statement) 9

Special Consideration and Student Difficulties

If a student is experiencing difficulties with their studies or assignments, have personal or life planning issues, disability or illness which may affect their course of study, they are advised to raise these with their lecturer in the first instance. Students may also contact the Student Adviser who will be able to help in identifying the issues that need to be addressed, give general advice, assist by liaising with academic staff, as well as referring students to any relevant University-wide support services. The Student Adviser is located in room 318a in the Commerce Building in Hobart and is contactable by phone on 6226 1916. In Launceston the Student Adviser is located in room A168 in Building A and is contactable by phone on 6324 3312. There is also a range of University-wide support services available including Student Services, International Services and Learning Development. Please refer to the Current Students homepage at http://www.utas.edu.au/students. Should a student require assistance in accessing the Library, visit their website for more information at http://www.utas.edu.au/library/. Students who have completed their examinations and who feel that they have been disadvantaged due to illness or other circumstances affecting their study, may fill out a form to request that their lecturer takes this into consideration when marking the examination. Forms should be submitted directly to the relevant school, accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation, as soon as possible after the completion of the examination. Granting of special consideration is at the discretion of the lecturer and school. The relevant form can be found at the following website: http://www.studentcentre.utas.edu.au/examinations_and_results/forms_files/index.htm#eits. Students with a non-English speaking background may be permitted to take a bilingual dictionary into an exam. This dictionary must not be annotated that is, it must have no notes written in it. Students must request permission from the Student Centre in order to use a bilingual dictionary.

Submission of Coursework
Lodging Coursework
All Coursework must have the School of Management Assignment Cover Sheet, which is available as a blank template from the School of Management website: http://www.utas.edu.au/management/student-resources. All assignments must include the tutors name on the assignment Cover Sheets when they are submitted. If this is not done the assignment will not be accepted and therefore will not be marked. Please remember that you are responsible for lodging your Coursework on or before the due date. We suggest you keep a copy. Even in the most perfect of systems, items sometimes go astray. Assignments must be submitted electronically through the relevant assignment drop box in MyLO. All coursework must be handed in by 2.00pm on the due date.

Requests for Extensions

Written Coursework: Extensions will only be granted on medical or compassionate grounds and will not be granted because of work or other commitments. Requests for extensions should be made in writing to the unit coordinator prior to the due date. Medical certificates or other evidence must be attached and must contain information which justifies the extension sought. Late assignments which have not

10

been granted an extension will, at the lecturers discretion, be penalised by deducting ten per cent of total marks for each full day overdue. Assignments submitted more than five days late will normally not be accepted by the unit coordinator. In-class Tests: Students who are unable to sit a test on medical or compassionate grounds (work or other commitments are not considered 'compassionate grounds') may request that they be permitted to submit alternative Coursework. Please do not expect a special test to be held for you if you choose to go on holidays or undertake other activities on the scheduled date. If you do need to request alternative Coursework, you should do so in writing to the unit coordinator prior to the due date. Medical certificates or other evidence must be attached and must contain information which justifies the request. The telephone number of the doctor should also be included.

Faculty of Business Assessment Submission Policy

A full copy of the Faculty of Business Assessment Submission policy is available from the Faculty homepage at http://www.utas.edu.au/business/student-resources/policies,-forms-and-otherinformation2/faculty-policies-and-administration

Academic Referencing and Style Guide

Before starting their assignments, students are advised to familiarise themselves with the following electronic resources. The first is the School of Management Writing Assignments: A Guide, which can be accessed from the following site - : http://www.utas.edu.au/management/student-resources. The guide provides students with useful information about the structure and style of assignments in the School of Management. The second is the Harvard Referencing System Style Guide, which can be accessed from the UTAS library (http://utas.libguides.com/content.php?pid=27520&sid=199808). The Harvard Referencing System will be used in all School of Management units, and students are expected to use this system in their assignments.

Academic Misconduct and Plagiarism

Academic misconduct includes cheating, plagiarism, allowing another student to copy work for an assignment or an examination, and any other conduct by which a student: (a) seeks to gain, for themselves or for any other person, any academic advantage or advancement to which they or that other person are not entitled; or (b) improperly disadvantages any other student. Students engaging in any form of academic misconduct may be dealt with under the Ordinance of Student Discipline. This can include imposition of penalties that range from a deduction/cancellation of marks to exclusion from a unit or the University. Details of penalties that can be imposed are available in the Ordinance of Student Discipline Part 3 Academic Misconduct, see http://www.utas.edu.au/universitycouncil/legislation/.

11

Plagiarism is a form of cheating. It is taking and using someone elses thoughts, writings or inventions and representing them as your own, for example: using an authors words without putting them in quotation marks and citing the source; using an authors ideas without proper acknowledgment and citation; or copying another students work.

If you have any doubts about how to refer to the work of others in your assignments, please consult your lecturer or tutor for relevant referencing guidelines, and the academic integrity resources on the web at http://www.academicintegrity.utas.edu.au/ The intentional copying of someone elses work as ones own is a serious offence punishable by penalties that may range from a fine or deduction/cancellation of marks and, in the most serious of cases, to exclusion from a unit, a course, or the University. The University and any persons authorised by the University may submit your assessable works to a plagiarism checking service, to obtain a report on possible instances of plagiarism. Assessable works may also be included in a reference database. It is a condition of this arrangement that the original authors permission is required before a work within the database can be viewed. For further information on this statement and general referencing guidelines, see http://www.utas.edu.au/plagiarism/ or follow the link under Policy, Procedures and Feedback on the Current Students homepage.

12

Study Schedule
Day Day 1 Time TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA Day 2 TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA Day 3 TBA Reading De Bono (1996) Topic / Activity Introduction Break Practice CC & TG Break CC1 & TG1 CC2 & TG2 Break CC3 & TG3 Break CC4 & TG4 Community Challenge

CC = Creativity Challenge TG = Trading Game

13