Curricula

Objectives

The object of the course
In which way great inventions and innovations are created? What kind of a creative process is behind of a new concept, product, service or business? Concept Lab is a course where you will become acquainted with different phases and tools concerning creative concept development process. Concept cases within the course covers real life company cases and/or they can handle some topical real-life phenomena. Future is a concept now.

Course competences
Business competence
Ethical competence
Internationalisation and communications competence
Learning and information management competence
Entrepreneurship, innovation and working community competence

The learning objectives of the course
During this course you will be acquainted with of concept development work, learn to create a concept description and take responsibility in team work and performance. You are able to determine basic aspects, abstracts and tools inside concepting process.

Content

The Concept Lab process consists of three parts:
1. research of the phenomena under study / research for new concept ideas,
2. development of a concept idea using creative methods
3. evaluating created concept idea

All three parts will be accomplished within the framework of the student learning workshop and are supported by course activities. The students will work in teams to carry out the analysis and planning necessary to ideate a novel concept and complete a concept description.

As an example, students can conduct research on how an organization could develop new kinds of relations to its target audience and potential new survival concepts for the future.

The project teams will be responsible of developing their selected concept, as well as perform all the related managerial tasks. The teams will also evaluate the performance of their project together with clients (when relevant) and teachers and present their concept description outcome as well as their learning process to the whole team.

Learning materials and recommended literature

Public learning material (books, articles, videos, etc.) that are required for passing the course (‘must know’).

The learning material needed for completing this implementation must be described in detail in compliance with JAMK’s reporting instructions, NOT by indicating the location of the material in Optima or Moodle or by telling that the material will be announced later.

Teaching methods

The primary mode of delivery is a combination of in-class activities on campus and on-line lectures. The lectures will be recorded to support opportunities for 24/7 learning. The in-class activities deepen the learning in the forms of tutorials, individual and group works, reflection and guidance. However, if the COVID-19 situation requires the learning will be supported by on-line tutorials.

Practical training and working life connections

This field shows as ‘Working life connections’ to the students.

Various kinds of introductions to working life, alumni cooperation, visiting lecturers, excursions (virtual or physical), etc. can be described here.

Exam dates and retake possibilities

No exam

International connections

In the study guide, this field is referred to as ‘Internationality’. Describe how the internationalisation aspect is accommodated in this implementation.

Alternative completion methods

You have the right to apply for recognition of your studies if you have prior learning (e.g. university studies completed elsewhere) that can be accredited towards the degree you are currently completing.

The recognition of prior learning is possible in three primary ways: accreditation (replacement or inclusion), recognition of informal learning and studification. More precise info: JAMK Degree Regulations, section 17.

(This is used for describing whether this implementation can be completed in different ways.)

Student workload

One credit corresponds to an average of 27 hours of work, which means that the load of five credits is approximately 135 hours. The load is distributed in different ways depending on the course implementation.

Content scheduling

You can check the progress and schedule of the implementation if different kinds of phasing is involved (lab exercises, introductions to working life, etc.); indicate when they are scheduled to take place during the course implementation.

Example: Mark here if you have 2 hours per week for the whole group and another two for the splitted group.

Further information for students

The assesment is based on personal assignments like learning diary as well as output and presentations of the course project. The project is done in a team of students.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Evaluation criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Sufficient (1): You will complete all required tasks but show only little understanding of the key topics covered through materials created and reflection. Presentation is not well prepared and does not add much value to peer students.

Satisfactory (2): You will have some understanding of the key concepts and all tasks completed, primarily in time. There may be some flaws with content and formatting as well as presentations and the level of reflection is shallow not
demonstrating a deep understanding of the methods and concepts covered.

Evaluation criteria, good (3-4)

Good (3): You will understand the main concepting processes and methods and the outcome of mandatory tasks is of a reasonable standard. There may be some lacks in formatting, finalizing or accuracy of planning, but the research and reflection of the concept development work done demonstrates clear understanding of the key topics covered. All tasks are completed.

Very good (4): Your performance is primarily exceptional, but in some fields the quality of the work, timely task completion, depth of analysis or research or materials / presentations created lack justification, finalization or content. All tasks are completed and the overall performance is high what comes to materials, presentations and reflection.

Evaluation criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent (5): Student is able to demonstrate a capability in creating and managing a concept development project in an autonomous manner. The learning diary as well as the exam shows analytical skills and personal growth in terms of understanding the phenomena around concept development and skills required to complete it successfully. The concept plan created is based on thorough research and is well justified. The outcome of the plan is new in a defined context, has business potential in a defined target group and is well justified. The learning diary contains deep analysis and reflection (personal input to the topic) for all covered topics. All mandatory tasks are completed in time with a high-quality standards by structure, referencing, content, outlook and presentation. Presentations are found to be useful by the peers.

Prerequisites

This course is focused for the all JAMK degree programmes and e.g. exchange students but it can be included in various study modules (like diplomas or any other life-long-learning modules).

Thorough understanding of project management and project processes, completed basic studies of own field.