Solving Problems with Technology
Offered By: University of Leeds via FutureLearn
Course Description
Overview
On this program, you’ll be introduced to a range of design focussed skills that can be applied to the world of work.
From user-centred design and the concept of design thinking to digital problem-solving skills and using data to make decisions, this program will bridge design thinking with real-world problems.
Using practical examples and tips from employers, you’ll have the opportunity to identify and use design skills and software to solve simple problems. You’ll also better understand what is required in this area by employers, and how you can apply these skills to enhance your career.
Syllabus
Courses under this program:
Course 1: Get Creative with People to Solve Problems
-Have you ever had a digital problem that you didn't know how to solve? Get acquainted with the five stages of design thinking.
Course 2: Decision Making: How to Choose the Right Problem to Solve
-Build personal problem-solving skills and learn how to make an effective plan to tackle real-life problems and decisions.
Course 3: Evidence and Data Collection for Problem Solving
-Find out how to harness the power of data to help you make better business decisions.
Courses
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Find solutions to a range of problems using design thinking
How are the products we use every day created and designed? Human-centered design is being used by companies, startups, and governments all over the world to solve the problems by understanding the needs of people who face them.
On this two-week course, you’ll gain a practical insight into why this method of thinking is effective, how to use it, and which jobs benefit from the process.
You’ll take part in activities and become familiar with how to collect the right information and data to prove a solution can work in the real world.
Discover the importance of human-centred design
Human-centred design is a creative approach that focuses on understanding the needs of the people who have a problem, in order to design appropriate solutions.
This course will show you how putting people first in design delivers results, as well as how to develop your own design thinking mindset.
You’ll build skills in empathy, brainstorming, and making prototypes, and see how something as simple as asking the right questions can make your product stand out.
As well as identifying the kinds of problems that can be solved with human-centred design, you’ll experiment with the process through a series of simple activities to understand what is needed to make a successful design project.
Gain insights from industry experts
Learning from experts in the field, you’ll discover how to design great products for and with real people. You’ll also understand how to apply design thinking to real-world problems to see the process in action.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to summarise the activities needed to run a successful human-centred design project whilst developing your design thinking mindset.
This course is designed for anyone interested in building on their skills and developing a design thinking mindset to tackle problems in the workplace.
You could be a graduate or working but looking to improve your career prospects with sought-after skills.
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Learn how to solve problems and formulate plans to get colleagues on board
When you’re presented with multiple problems at once, how do you decide which one to solve first? On this two-week course, you’ll learn how to sharpen your decision-making and problem-solving skills so that you can quickly resolve issues.
You’ll learn how to face challenges both in and out of the workplace by cultivating critical skills to help you identify the best possible solution.
What’s more, you’ll learn how to create a detailed plan to persuade others that your ideas will work.
Develop problem-solving techniques
You’ll evaluate your existing problem-solving skills and learn how to build on them to be more successful.
Experimenting with useful techniques for decision-making such as SWOT analysis, you’ll learn how to identify the real, underlying problems of a situation and how to set priorities when everything seems urgent.
Create a business case alongside industry experts
Once you’re able to identify a problem and understand it, you’ll learn how to explore the benefits and drawbacks of various solutions as well as the methods to minimise risks.
With this information, you can produce a persuasive plan that shows your solutions are the best. You’ll also create a business case that will be peer-reviewed so you can receive feedback on your ideas.
By the end of this course, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to tackle real-world problems and be able to persuade others that your solutions will work.
This course is designed for people who want to build confidence in making informed decisions and using digital technology to communicate with others in the workplace.
It will be useful to you if you would like to boost your problem solving and digital skills and improve your career prospects.
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Become a data-driven decision-maker and improve your problem-solving skills
As the digital world plays an increasingly large role in our daily lives, so too does the use of data. It is arguably one of the most valuable commodities in the world, and this two-week course will teach you methods to tap into its potential in your daily life and career.
You’ll be introduced to key data concepts as you learn how to solve everyday problems and make effective decisions using data.
You’ll also develop skills to help you analyse and interpret trends, and produce a plan to solve a real-world problem with evidence and data.
Discover the importance of data collection
To understand why data collection is so valuable, you’ll explore its notion and meaning before learning key terminology.
You’ll consider the differences between data, metadata, and how individual sets of data can come together to form datasets that give you greater insights and an understanding of a situation.
Understand data ethics in real-world situations
It’s important to explore the ethics and rules of using other people’s data so you understand the restrictions to adhere to.
You’ll examine how data is created, shared, and used in surprising ways before debating the ethical considerations of data collection.
You’ll also learn how to present data in a meaningful way that’s easy to understand through data visualisation techniques. To give real-world context to your learning, you’ll study these data concepts through the case study of a small business owner.
Whether you’re entering the world of work or forging a new career for yourself, this course will help prepare you for the fast-moving digital space.
This course is designed for people looking to work with data to progress in their current role or to enter the digital workplace.
It will help you build confidence in using digital technology and boost your digital skills.
Taught by
Molly Bridge
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