This course is part of the Academic Skills for University Success Specialization

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Katherine Olston +1 more instructor

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Academic Skills for University Success SpecializationThe University of Sydney

About this Course

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In this course, you will learn how to develop your Problem Solving and Creativity Skills to help you achieve success in your university studies. After completing this course, you will be able to:
Recognise the importance and function of problem solving and creative thought within academic study and the role of critical thought in creative ideation.

Develop a toolkit to be able to identify real problems and goals within ill-defined problems

Recognize and apply analytical problem solving techniques

Recognise and apply creative problem solving techniques

Identify the use of creativity within and types of problems most common to your field 

Apply learnt problem solving and creative ideation skills to a real-life context and reflect on personal learning processes

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 2 of 5 in the

Academic Skills for University Success Specialization

Beginner Level

Approx. 23 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish

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Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 2 of 5 in the

Academic Skills for University Success Specialization

Beginner Level

Approx. 23 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructors

Instructor rating

4.73/5 (304 Ratings)

Katherine Olston

Deputy Director (Digital Learning)

University of Sydney Centre for English Teaching

107,656 Learners

9 Courses

Lydia Dutcher

Education Manager, Graduate Programs

Centre for English Teaching

67,037 Learners

5 Courses

Offered by

The University of Sydney

Our excellence in research and teaching makes the University of Sydney one of the top universities in Australia and highly ranked among the best universities in the world. In 2020, we were ranked second in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings, and first in Australia in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating97%(8,076 ratings)

Week

Week 1

5 hours to complete

Introduction to Problem-Solving Skills for University Success

After this module, you will be able to 1. Understand the structure & expectations of the course 2. Understand expectations about Problem-Solving within academic culture 3. Articulate the skills & dispositions needed for Problem-Solving 4. Demonstrate awareness of ethical issues related to academic integrity surrounding Problem-Solving

5 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 43 min), 8 readings, 6 quizzes

6 videos

Welcome to the Academic Skills for University Success Specialization!1m

1.1a Introduction to the Course4m

1.2a Introduction to Academic Culture10m

1.2b Introduction to Problem Solving8m

1.3a Survival Skills for University8m

1.4 Academic Integrity9m

8 readings

Overview of Weekly Topics & Learning Outcomes10m

Problem-Solving Skills Assessment Overview10m

Glossary of Terms10m

Acknowledgements10m

Learning Outcomes3m

6 practice exercises

1.1. Review30m

1.2 Review30m

1.3 Review30m

1.4 Review30m

Summative Quiz - Module 120m

Discussion Board Self-Assessment - Module 110m

Week

Week 2

4 hours to complete

Categorise Problems & The Problem-Solving Process

After this module, you will be able to 1. Categorize different problems based on their type 2. Identify the different problem types most common at university 3. Recognise language associated with descriptive & analytical problem types 4. Recognise & apply the four-step problem solving process

4 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 54 min), 4 readings, 6 quizzes

9 videos

2.1a Defining Problems3m

2.1b Categorizing Problems 17m

2.1c Categorizing Problems 25m

2.1d Problems in Different Fields7m

2.2a Descriptive Tasks and Problems7m

2.3a Analytical Tasks4m

2.3b Analytical Problems7m

2.4a The Problem Solving Process7m

2.4b The Problem Solving Process4m

4 readings

Learning Outcomes3m

6 practice exercises

2.1 Review30m

2.2 Review30m

2.3 Review30m

2.4 Review30m

Summative Quiz - Module 220m

Discussion Board Self-Assessment - Module 210m

Week

Week 3

4 hours to complete

Understanding Problems, Generating Solutions & Solution Paths

After this module, you will be able to 1. Apply strategies to help you better understand a problem & identify the goal of a problem 2. Generate ideas or approaches for solving a problem 3. Apply strategies to help you find alternative solutions 4. Recognise the place of research & evidence in problem solving 5. Identify & justify formulas, theories or outside tools required for problem solving.

4 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 44 min), 6 readings, 6 quizzes

8 videos

3.1a Understanding the Problem6m

3.1b Strategies for Understanding and Beginning the Problem5m

3.1c Check your Marking Criteria!5m

3.2a Starting with What you Know5m

3.3a Using Specialized Knowledge6m

3.4a Problem-Solving with Special Cases4m

3.4b Strategies for Problem-Solving with Specialized Knowledge & Special Cases5m

3.4c Using Special Cases to Solve Problems4m

6 readings

Learning Outcomes3m

3.1d Strategies for Understanding the Problem10m

Learning Outcomes3m

3.2b Brainstorms & Mind-Maps explained10m

Learning Outcomes3m

6 practice exercises

3.1 Review30m

3.2 Review30m

3.3 Review30m

3.4 Review30m

Summative Quiz - Module 320m

Discussion Board Self-Assessment - Module 310m

Week

Week 4

4 hours to complete

Taking Creative & Critical Approaches to Solving Problems, & Evaluating Solutions

After this module, you will be able to 1. Change analogies & viewpoints to solve problems. 2. Apply a variety of forms of reasoning & thinking. 3. Employ creative techniques to the solution of problems. 4. Evaluate a number of solutions to a problem to determine the best one.

4 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 47 min), 5 readings, 6 quizzes

9 videos

4.1a Seeking Different Perspectives5m

4.1b Learning from Other People4m

4.2a Applying Forms of Reasoning and Thinking6m

4.2b Questioning Assumptions & Considering Alternatives4m

Questioning Assumptions: The 9 Dot Problem3m

4.3a Using Creative Strategies5m

4.3b The Importance of Creativity4m

4.4a Evaluating Solutions6m

4.4b Strategies for Evaluating Solutions6m

5 readings

Learning Outcomes3m

4.3c Creative Ideation Strategies10m

Learning Outcomes3m

6 practice exercises

4.1 Review30m

4.2 Review30m

4.3 Review30m

4.4 Review30m

Summative Quiz - Module 420m

Discussion Board Self-Assessment - Module 410m

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About the Academic Skills for University Success Specialization

Develop skills in information & digital literacy, problem-solving, critical thinking and communication.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. 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. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
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.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Problem-Solving Skills for University Success

About this Course