| Unit name | Innovation at Work |
|---|---|
| Unit code | INOV20004 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Ms. Jenkins |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
NA |
| School/department | Centre for Innovation |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
Innovation can take many forms and there are multiple sites and domains in which creativity can take shape. Through this unit you will observe and experience innovative practices in real world settings during work placements agreed by the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
This unit provides a structured and supervised opportunity for second-year students to pursue a placement in either a commercial or community- based context, related to innovation and your core discipline.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
In Year 2, Innovation students are encouraged to engage with design, innovation and entrepreneurship skills in external contexts. This will give you the opportunity to apply classroom-based skills in the workplace.
An overview of content
On this unit students will learn about critical theories and frameworks relevant to innovation. You will have the opportunity to carry out field-based observations in a professional context through a work placement (either commercial or community based) in order to critically evaluate and reflect on innovation practices at work.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students will enhance their work experience, establish links within different sectors and explore wider questions concerning the practical application of innovation.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:
1. plan and effectively carry out appropriate field-based study in response to a professional context (either commercial or community based)
2. develop skills to work constructively and creatively in a professional setting related to their studies in innovation and entrepreneurship
3. demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of key theoretical frameworks with which to consider innovation in the workplace
4. critically evaluate innovation practices at work with reference to critical theories and innovation frameworks
Teaching will be delivered using a blend of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, including in the workplace where possible. Meetings with supervisors will initially be in small tutorial groups, which address approaches to the work placement, then individually.
How you will be assessed
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
• Formative feedback will be provided in small tutorial groups ahead of work placements. This will provide opportunities to plan for field-based work and to identify appropriate placement settings.
• Once in placement, students will be asked to keep a reflective journal to document activities. This journal will provide supporting source material for the summative work.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
• 3500 word individual critically reflective essay (100%) [ILOs 1-4]
The assessment for this unit will be a critically reflective essay on innovation in the workplace. Students will draw on theories (delivered in lectures), field-based observations (gained from placement) and reflections and observations (captured in reflective journals) to evaluate how innovation takes place in the workplace.
When assessment does not go to plan
• When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the Centre shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
If a student is unable to complete a work placement a case-study option may be possible.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. INOV20004).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
