When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 3 modules in this course
Fuel your innovation with powerful tools to unlock new ideas. Learn to think creatively in real-world situations through a course designed for flexible, hands-on learning.
Creative thinking is more than a skill — it's a mindset that can transform the way you approach problems in work and life. This self-paced course, developed by Dr. Brent Scholar of the ASU College of Integrative Arts and Sciences, empowers you with strategies, resources, and tools to overcome mental blocks and generate original solutions. You’ll explore practical techniques like mind mapping, group ideation, and curiosity-driven inquiry—then put them to use in interactive exercises.
Whether you're facing everyday challenges or driving innovation at work, this course will help you grow your capacity to think outside the box, solve everyday challenges, and drive innovation in your workplace.
This module focuses on developing your individual creative thinking skills. You will explore the underlying causes and resources that foster creativity, learn various techniques for generating innovative ideas independently, and practice applying these methods to real-world scenarios. By the end of this module, you will be equipped to approach problems with a fresh perspective and generate novel solutions on your own.
What's included
1 assignment7 plugins
Show info about module content
1 assignment•Total 8 minutes
Quiz: Thinking creatively on your own•8 minutes
7 plugins•Total 53 minutes
Thinking creatively on your own: Causes and resources•9 minutes
Doing your own creative thinking•8 minutes
Practice the solution: Individual creative thinking•10 minutes
Job aid: The process of mind mapping•3 minutes
Reflect on the solution: Thinking creatively on your own•10 minutes
Achieving that Eureka! moment: Key takeaways•3 minutes
Apply the solution: Thinking creatively on your own•10 minutes
Thinking creatively with a group
Module 2•1 hour to complete
Module details
This module shifts focus to collaborative creative thinking, teaching you how to effectively generate innovative ideas within a group setting. You will learn about the dynamics that foster group creativity, explore techniques for collective brainstorming, and understand how to leverage diverse perspectives to achieve breakthrough solutions. This module will prepare you to contribute meaningfully to team-based creative endeavors.
What's included
1 assignment7 plugins
Show info about module content
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
Thinking creatively with a group•10 minutes
7 plugins•Total 56 minutes
Thinking creatively with a group: Causes and resources•13 minutes
Thinking creatively with a group: Exercising creativity as a group•7 minutes
Practice the solution: Group creative thinking•10 minutes
Job aid: Taxonomy of creative design•3 minutes
Reflect on the solution: Thinking creatively with a group•10 minutes
Putting your heads together: Key takeaways•3 minutes
Apply the solution: Thinking creatively with a group•10 minutes
Course conclusion
Module 3•6 minutes to complete
Module details
This concluding module offers an opportunity to provide feedback on your experience and acknowledge your successful completion of the course. This module serves as a final step in solidifying your understanding and celebrating your newly acquired creative thinking skills.
What's included
1 reading1 plugin
Show info about module content
1 reading•Total 3 minutes
End of course survey•3 minutes
1 plugin•Total 3 minutes
End of course survey•3 minutes
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American Research University, creating an institution that is committed to excellence, access and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.