Stimulating Creativity in Online Learning Environments through Intelligent Fast Failure

Abstract

In this paper, we address the stimulation of creativity in online learning environments through our examination of a simple hands-on task aimed at teaching the principles of Intelligent Fast Failure (IFF) in the context of a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) focused on creativity, innovation, and change. A simple physical "prototyping" exercise involving common household objects was designed and presented to a global community of online learners using the Coursera MOOC platform. Data gathered from the task outcomes and student reflections were analyzed with respect to gender and cultural differences, as well as correlations between the number of attempts/failures and creative performance metrics. Our results show that while the correlation between number of attempts (i.e., failure rate) and creative performance was statistically significant, the relationship was weak. In addition to these and other quantitative results, this research has value for engineering educators as a case study in the evolution, scaling, and transfer of face-to-face experiential learning tasks to global online learning environments.

Exploring the relevance of single‐gender group formation: What we learn from a massive open online course (MOOC)

“…The objective of the CIC MOOC was to equip students with tools that would enhance creativity, encourage original conduct and stimulate positive change around the world. The CIC MOOC was delivered over 6 weeks in which students had to complete projects, readings, exercises, quizzes, engage in discussion forums and watch videos (Jablokow et al ., ).…”

“…The study was conducted with students enrolled in the Creativity, Innovation and Change (CIC) 2.0 MOOC via Coursera platform from July to August, 2014 (Jablokow, Matson, & Velegol, ). The objective of the CIC MOOC was to equip students with tools that would enhance creativity, encourage original conduct and stimulate positive change around the world.…”

A semantic network model for measuring engagement and performance in online learning platforms

“…In this case study, a Penn State's Coursera MOOC (“Creativity, Innovation, and Change (CIC)”) [9,19] is used to validate the proposed research. The course goal is to provide concepts and tools to help students realize their creative potential and encourage their innovative behavior.…”