About this course: The third course of the specialization CREATING INNOVATION will teach you what is at the core of all innovations that solve complex problems and how to foster methods to make big breakthroughs possible. It advances your knowledge of your own field by teaching you to look at it in new ways. CREATING INNOVATION is constructed in the following way: Week I. “What is Innovation?” – What lies at the core of all innovations. Week II. “The Evolution of Human Creativity” – How humans developed the ability to innovate and think creatively. Week III. “Innovation in a Complex Global Network” – How innovations emerge from human networks. Week IV. “Planning Innovation” – How organisations seek out and create the right conditions for new breakthroughs. Week V. “Market Innovation” – What makes innovations more likely to emerge in a market setting. Week VI. “Innovation in the Anthropocene” – How innovations are crucial to meet the problems of the 21st century.
Who is this class for: This course is for everyone: from any level of expertise, any field, any industry, any discipline. And for good reason. It teaches skills that enhance your work and endeavours, regardless of who you are. If you want to perform better in your career, to innovate in your field, and to improve your future prospects - take this course!
Created by: Macquarie University
Taught by: David Baker, Associate Lecturer
Big History Institute
Taught by: David Christian, Professor
Big History Institute
Taught by: Shawn Ross, Associate Professor
Big History Institute
| Basic Info | Course 3 of 4 in the Solving Complex Problems Specialization |
| Level | Beginner |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
What is Innovation?
Welcome to Course 3 of the specialisation! In this module we will look at what innovation is, in the broadest possible context, and how the innovations humans devise to solve complex problems are the continuation of a much bigger and more critical trend.
6 videos, 12 readings
- Video: Innovation and Emergence
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Reading: Assessment Overview for Course 3: Creating Innovation
- Video: Cosmic Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Chemical Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Biological Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Neurological Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The Root of Innovation
- Reading: Glossary
Graded: Multiple Choice - Mod. 1
Graded: Short writing for Module 1: What is innovation?
WEEK 2
The Evolution of Human Creativity
In this module we will look at the main drivers of human innovation and how they have shaped the entirety of human society and history.
6 videos, 11 readings
- Video: Collective Learning and Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The Power of Language
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Innovation in the Palaeolithic
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Innovation and the Holocene
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Innovation and Agriculture
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Population and Connectivity
- Reading: Glossary
Graded: Multiple Choice - Mod. 2
Graded: Short writing for Module 2: The evolution of human creativity
WEEK 3
Innovation in a Complex Global Network
In this module, we will examine the information networks that arose out of increasing human complexity, from the earliest such networks to the global network that fosters human innovation today.
7 videos, 13 readings
- Video: Networks and Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Afro-Eurasian Networks and Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The First Global Networks and Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The Scientific Revolution and Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The Industrial Revolution and Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The Diffusion of Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Innovating in a Global System
- Reading: Glossary
Graded: Multiple Choice - Mod. 3
Graded: Module 3: Innovation in complex global networks
WEEK 4
Planning Innovation
This module will deal with top-down innovations, where large organisations shape their infrastructures to maximize the chances of discovering an innovative solution to a problem.
8 videos, 15 readings
- Video: Planning Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Innovation in the Ancient World
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Institutional Power and Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The Failure of Planned Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The Success of Planned Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Innovation and National Development
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Research and Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Top-Down Innovation
- Reading: Glossary
Graded: Multiple Choice - Mod. 4
Graded: Short writing for Module 4: Planned innovation
WEEK 5
Market Innovation
In this module we will examine bottom-up innovation, where the forces of supply and demand can under the right conditions foster innovation and increase the chances of them occurring.
8 videos, 15 readings
- Video: Encouraging Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Economic Theories of Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Thomas Edison and Industrialised Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Financing Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The Psychology of Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Patents and Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Blind and Planned Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Innovation by Market Forces
- Reading: Glossary
Graded: Multiple Choice - Mod. 5
Graded: Short writing for Module 5: Market-driven innovation
WEEK 6
Innovation in the Anthropocene
In this module, we will look at the future of innovation and how we may cope with the complex problems that arise out of the Anthropocene.
7 videos, 11 readings
- Video: The Anthropocene and Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The Great Acceleration
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Markets and the Future of Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Science and the Future of Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The Internet and the Future of Innovation
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Innovation and Our Future
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The Final Assignment
Graded: Multiple Choice - Mod. 6
Graded: Short writing for Module 6: Innovation in the Anthropocene
Graded: Final assignment for Course 3: Creating Innovation
Graded: Final assignment for Course 3: Creating Innovation
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Creators
Macquarie University
Macquarie is a hub of inspired and unconstrained thinking. Macquarie was founded with a unique purpose: to bring minds together unhindered by tradition. Created to challenge the education establishment, Macquarie has a rich track record of innovation. Macquarie actively shapes the complex issues that define the future of humanity.
Pricing
| Audit | Purchase Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Not available | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Not available | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Not available | Available |
Ratings and Reviews
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As previous courses in this specialisation it gives an opportunity to see all critical human's problems in the 21st century from totally different perspective. Thx!