Innovation (5cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Content scheduling

See course website for more details.

Objective

Student:
- Identifies socially and globally influential streams of change.
- Is able to apply futures thinking in their own professional working environment.
- Understands the preconditions, stages and methods of the innovation process.
- Is able to promote creative, practical problem solving.

Accomplishment methods

The course can be completed in several different ways: by participating in the basic online implementation or alternatively in the independent implementation, as an internship for a Humak project, or through accreditation of work experience. RPL is also an option if the conditions are met. For OUAS students, only basic online implementation and independent implementation are possible.

Content

During the course, concepts of future and the basics of foresight activities are learned. In addition to this, students will get acquainted with what innovations are and how innovativeness and innovation know-how can be promoted in working life. Futures thinking, innovation competence and the use of creative methods in innovation activities are applied in practice through given assignments.

Location and time

Duration 1.6.-31.7.2025.

Materials

See course website for more details about materials.

Teaching methods

There are no webinars in this course.

Employer connections

This course does not include work placements.

Exam schedules

It is possible to attempt exams three times during their validity period. Three attempts correspond to one actual attempt and two retakes, meaning retake opportunities are included in the course. There is no need to inform the guiding lecturer separately about the utilization of retake opportunities.

Completion alternatives

There are no alternative delivery methods for this course.

Student workload

This course represents about 130 hours' coursework.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Satisfactory (1)
The student displays a poor understanding of futures and foresight concepts. The student struggles to apply futures thinking within their professional field; the student may fail to produce solutions or may fail to demonstrate innovativeness in the solutions they propose. The student's understanding of the innovation process is limited and their ability to foster creativity at the individual or team level or in a work environment is lacking. There are significant issues in fulfilling assessment requirements.

Satisfactory (2)
The student displays an incomplete understanding of futures and foresight concepts. The student is able to apply futures thinking to some degree to their professional field, but demonstrates little or no creativity in developing solutions and solutions may lack innovativeness. The student has a basic understanding of the innovation process and shows some ability to foster creativity at the individual or team level or in a work environment. There are clear issues in fulfilling assessment requirements.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good (3)
The student demonstrates a reasonably good understanding of futures and foresight concepts. The student is relatively skilled at applying futures thinking to their own professional field and can supply creative, if not innovative, solutions to professional challenges. The student has a fairly good understanding of the innovation process and has the basic skills to foster creativity at the individual and team level and in a work environment. The student fulfils assessment requirements with some errors or omissions.

Good (4)
The student demonstrates a good understanding of futures and foresight concepts. The student can apply futures thinking to their own field and produce creative and innovative solutions to professional challenges. The student demonstrates a good understanding of the innovation process and is well-equipped to foster creativity at the individual and team level and in a work environment. The student meets all assessment requirements.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent (5)
The student displays an excellent command of futures and foresight concepts. The student is skilled at applying futures thinking to their own professional field and produces genuinely creative and innovative solutions to professional challenges. The student has an in-depth understanding of the innovation process and an excellent capacity to foster creativity at the individual and team level and in a work environment. The student fully meets all assessment requirements.

Qualifications

You can participate in the course at any stage of your studies and other previous Humak studies are not required. There are no separate entry-level or competence requirements.

Further information

All students whose curriculum includes this course are eligible to enroll, regardless of whether their cohort is specifically listed with a code for this course.

Teacher: Minna Hautio

In this course, you will learn what it means to forecast the future and how to do it. We will also explore what innovation - and innovating - means in practice, and how to foster innovation in your professional life. You will gain the basic knowledge and skills you need to navigate the innovation process. You will also learn the basics of futures studies and foresight.

Come and explore what innovation means for you, develop your own ability to innovate and gain important professional skills. No specific entry requirements.