Professional Documents
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Foundation in Natural and Built Environments
Module:
Prerequisite:
Credit hours:
Instructor:
Module Synopsis
This module will equip students with theory and techniques that will help them understand the range of
thinking abilities and how enhancing these can result in a higher quality of design work. Students are
encouraged to explore or broaden their own ideas and thought processes with techniques such as mindmapping; expand, twist or synthesize ideas with techniques such as random association; and translate their
ideas into a tangible form which can be interactive, presentable, entertaining or a form of visual design
statement. They will also learn techniques to manage and develop ideas in collaborative efforts or as design
teams, in all its advantages.
Module Teaching Objectives
The teaching objectives of the module are:
1. To identify critical thinking and idea generation skills through the investigation and application of a wide
range of thinking skills and techniques.
2. To understand the modes of thinking commonly associated with critical thinking (left-brain), creative
thinking (right brain) as well as holistic (whole brain) thinking.
3. To implement divergent and convergent thinking methods in researching, developing and presenting
ideas and conclusions in the form of tangible statements.
Module Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
1. Apply practical, critical and creative thinking skills within a variety of academic assignments
2. Recognize the characteristics of critical and creative thinking and their applications in students personal
and working lives
3. Identify the importance of expressing personal opinions as part of academic development and the
systematic journey(s) taken to evolve these statements
Modes of Delivery
This is a 3 credit hour module conducted over a period of 18 weeks. The modes of delivery will be in the
form of lectures, tutorials, and self-directed study. The breakdown of the contact hours for the module is as
follows:
Lecture:
Tutorial:
Self-study:
1 hour/week
3 hours/week
3.6 hours/week
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Office Hours
You are encouraged to visit the instructor/lecturer/tutor concerned for assistance during office hours. If the
office hours do not meet your schedule, notify the instructor and set appointment times as needed.
TIMeS
TIMeS will be used as a communication tool and information portal for students to access module materials,
project briefs, assignments and announcements
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TGCs Acquired
Through Module
Learning Outcomes
1.1
1.2
1-3
Cognitive Capabilities
2.0
Lifelong Learning
2.1
2.2
3.0
3.1
3.2
1,2
3
Soft Skills
4.0
4.1
5.0
5.1
6.0
Communication Skills
Communicate appropriately in various setting and modes
Interpersonal Skills
Understand team dynamics and work with others in a team
Intrapersonal Skills
6.1
6.2
6.3
7.0
7.1
7.2
8.0
8.1
Digital Literacy
Effective use of information and communication (ICT) and related
technologies.
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Your participation in the module is encouraged. You have the opportunity to participate in the following
ways:
Individual -10%
Group-20%
Individual -20%
Group-20%
Individual
IDJ
Individual
Learning
outcomes
1,2
1-3
1-3
1-3
Submission Presentation
Week 4
Week 8
Week 12
Week 17
Every 2
Weeks
Week 18
Assessment
Weightage
Week 8
30%
Week 17
40%
20%
10%
TOTAL 100%
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Assessment Components
1. Project One (Group + Individual)
This is an introduction project exploring creativity which they will need to extract information from a
particular topic/object/movie/song given to them. They will need to discuss through brainstorming session on
how to translate their idea and research using mind maps, doodles and story-boards. This project aims for
students to work as a team to generate ideas and allow them to express their creativity through
synchronized performance.
2. Final Project - (Group + Individual)
The aim of the Final Project will be a review that illustrates the entire topic learned in this module which will
encourage problem solving, critical thinking and creative thinking through series of exploration,
innovation and creation process. The Final Project will concentrate on the development of ideas through
series of sketches, mind maps and diagrams in creating a new packaging for daily object and effective ways
of marketing these products.
3. Idea Journal - (Individual)
The aim of the idea journal is as a medium for students to express, record ideas, methods, techniques and
process of generating ideas. Students will also be given a topic to be placed in the sketch journal as an ongoing ideation process. Mind maps, sketches, scribbles, magazine/paper cuts are examples of items that
will be placed in the Idea Journal.
4. Taylors Graduate Capabilities Portfolio (Online Portfolio) (Individual)
Each student is to develop an e-Portfolio, a web-based portfolio in the form of a personal academic blog.
The e-Portfolio is developed progressively for all modules taken throughout Semesters 1 and 2, and MUST
PASS THIS COMPONENT. The portfolio must encapsulate the acquisition of Module Learning Outcome,
Programme Learning Outcomes and Taylors Graduate Capabilities, and showcases the distinctiveness and
identity of the student as a graduate of the programme. Submission of the E-Portfolio is COMPULSARY.
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Marks
Grade
Points
80 100
4.00
Excellent
A-
75 79
3.67
Very Good
B+
70 74
3.33
Definition
Description
Good
Pass
Marginal
Pass
65 69
3.00
B-
60 64
2.67
C+
55 59
2.33
50 54
2.00
D+
47 49
1.67
44 46
1.33
D-
40 43
1.00
0 39
0.00
Fail
WD
Withdrawn
F(W)
0.00
Fail
IN
Incomplete
Pass
AU
Audit
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Lecture
Hour
Tutorial
Hour
Blended
Learning
3
( On line
discussion)
Week/Date
Week 1
26th-30th
January
Week 2
2nd -6th
February
Week 3
9th -13th
February
2
Digital upload
of IDJ 1
PROJECT 1 PRESENTATION
Project 1( Individual) Submission
2
Digital upload
of Project 1
2
Digital upload of
IDJ 2
3
( On line
discussion)
Week 13
11th- 15th May
Week 14
18th 22nd May
2
Digital upload of
IDJ 3
Week 15
25th 29th May
3
( On line
discussion)
3
( On line
discussion)
Week 16
1st 5th June
Week 17
8th -12th June
Week 18
15th- 19th June
Week 19
22nd June
Week 12
4th- 8th May
2
Digital upload of
Final Project
2
Digital upload of
E-portfolio
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1. Buzan, T., Buzan, B., 1996, The Mind Map Book: How to Use Radiant Thinking
to Maximize Your Brain's Untapped Potential, Plume; Reprint Edition.
2. de Bono, Edward, 1994, De Bonos Thinking Course, BBC Books.
3. Fisher, A., 2002, Critical Thinking: An Introduction, Cambridge University Press.
4. Michalko, M., 2001, Cracking Creativity: The Secrets of Creative Genius, Ten
Speed Press; New edition
5. Thompson, A., 2003, Critical Reasoning: a Practical Introduction, Routledge,
2nd edition.
Additional
References :
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