PORTFOLIO (100%)
An individual portfolio comprising:
-A research file and development work, annotated to show the use of creative thinking and ideas generation techniques.
-Evidence of practical experimentation and problem solving based on established media techniques
-The presentation and justification of a body of work in response to a set brief.

[Learning Outcomes 1,2,3]

Formative Assessment
Participation in discussions and group work.
Review of work in progress.

New and innovative ideas are fundamental to a successful media practitioner. This module concentrates on the development of ideas generation and media techniques. The use of a variety of creative methods will be encouraged in order to assist in the generation of ideas, support problem solving and promote the creative thinking processes both individually and as part of a team.
You will develop a critical understanding through group discussions and individual tutorials. Emphasis will be placed on an experimental and lateral approach to media techniques; this will be achieved through a series of exercises that involve both individual and/or team led work.

This module will give you a wide range of experience, and as such it is expected that you embrace new thinking and challenge preconceived ideas. Your portfolio will demonstrate the experience and experimentation through this journey and your annotated examples will outline how you have achieved different results, developed your ideas and understood the processes used.

This module places an emphasis on practical work, in order to introduce you to a range of processes and equipment and allow you to build creative and technical skills and knowledge through experimentation and experience in pre-production, production and post-production. This will be facilitated through a series of lectures and demonstrations, each followed by hands-on practical activities in a controlled environment. You will explore industry standard software such as Adobe Premiere and investigate media capture through DSLR cameras and sound recording devices.

Continuing the practical theme, you will apply your newly acquired knowledge and practise your skills through a short brief. At this stage you will work more independently within workshop lessons, critiques and tutorials.

1. DEMONSTRATE UNDERSTANDING OF IDEAS GENERATION AND CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING TECHNIQUES USED BY MEDIA PRACTITIONERS WITHIN CONTEMPORARY CONTEXT.
Knowledge & Understanding

2. EVALUATE THE APPROPRIATENESS OF DIFFERENT IDEA GENERATION TECHNIQUES INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY THROUGH EXPERIMENTATION WITH A VARIETY OF MEDIA AND MATERIALS.
Problem Solving
Team Working

3. DEMONSTRATE BASIC SKILLS OF ENQUIRY AND PRESENT INFORMATION, IDEAS AND CONCEPTS CLEARLY IN A RELEVANT FORM.
Enquiry

Scheduled Teaching and Learning Activities
Introduction to module (2 hours)
Individual tutorials and progress review (3 hours)
Group critiques (3 hours)
Workshops and seminars, to include idea generation and development, approaches to problem solving, storytelling, media practitioners, pre-production and postproduction (20 hours)
Studio-based practice (10 hours)
Guided Independent Study
Primary and secondary research (20 hours)
Idea development (20 hours)
Accessing online Moodle support (5 hours)
Practical development (20 hours)
Production (20 hours)
Reflective practice and evaluation (20 hours)
Presentation of work and organisation (10 hours)

Classrooms
Computer access / internet access
Screening facilities
Digital Camera Equipment
Tripods
Microphones
Post production edit and effects software
Library

Adams, J.L. (2001) Conceptual Blockbusting: A guide to better ideas, Vol. 4. Cambridge, MA: Perseus Books.
de Bono, E. (1990) Lateral thinking: Creativity step by step. New York: HarperCollins.
Fletcher, A.D. (2001) The art of looking sideways. New York: Phaidon Press.
Schroeder, B. (2016) Simply brilliant: Powerful techniques to unlock your creativity and spark new ideas. United States: Amacom.
Vogel, T. (2014) Breakthrough thinking: A guide to creative thinking and idea generation. Cincinnati: North Light Books.

Developing new and innovative ideas is essential for any successful media practitioner. This module will therefore use variety of creative methods to help develop your ideas generation, problem solving and critical thinking. Through individual and group exercises, you will develop experimental and lateral media techniques and challenged preconceived ideas and ways of working. The module is practice-focused, encouraging you to apply your ideas by using a range of pre-production, production and post-production equipment, tools and software. As a result, you will apply your newly acquired knowledge to complete a short brief.