NES3205 : Insight, Innovate, Impact
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Miss Katie Wray
- Lecturer: Mr Graham Cole
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module will adopt a person-centred approach to developing creativity, innovation and user engagement skills. Students, in interdisciplinary teams will work together to 'forensically' examine insights and assumptions around global and industry problems from which to identify actionable opportunities. Students will be expected to interact with potential users and stakeholders to collect primary research data to support the opportunity that is identified. The product of this work is a Market Opportunity Report demonstrating what has been learned and what the next steps might be to realise the social/economic viability and impact of a new opportunity.
There is follow-on support for opportunity development beyond the module available through the NU Start Up offer in the Careers Service, there are many examples of students who have started a new venture as a result of this module.
Outline Of Syllabus
Approaches to design thinking, innovation and problem solving
Future trends
The challenge of finding the insights which lead to opportunities.
The design evolution process
Value Proposition tools
Methods of evaluating opportunities
Intellectual Property
Challenging assumptions to ensure feasibility and viability of opportunities
The entrepreneurial mindset
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 5:00 | 5:00 | Sample reflective post and portfolio proposal |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 7 | 2:00 | 14:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Market Opportunity Report |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 31:00 | 31:00 | Market research activity: talking to users and stakeholders |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | Individual self-reflection |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Group Meetings |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The module uses a varied range of teaching methods and opportunities for experiential learning. These will include workshop activities alongside guest lectures and case study examples.
A significant focus of the module is on the individual’s ability to self-appraise their own creativity, innovation and market research capabilities with a view to how they may be deployed to solve problems and approach work in the future. The portfolio captures what students have applied and learned as a result of the module and independent learning activities.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | M | 40 | Group Market Opportunity Report (4000 words plus additional appendices) |
| Portfolio | 1 | M | 60 | Individual skills portfolio (3 items plus a commentary) |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflective log | 1 | M | Portfolio proposal |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Formative Assessment: Pass/Fail
Individual students will submit a sample reflective blog post to ensure that they are undertaking the process of self-reflection as learning, and drawing consistent outcomes. Feedback to support the likelihood of success in Assessment 2 will be given. Alongside this, students can select how they would like to be assessed for their portfolio. 3 items must be chosen, but there is complete flexibility and choice as to which items an individual student feels best represents their capabilities in this area.
Assessment 1: Market Opportunity Report (40%)
Drawing upon research work, skills and practice throughout the module, this group assessment will document a rationale for spending more time/money/effort on the development of an opportunity. Rather than producing a business plan, this is a preliminary document which concludes what has been found, with evidence, which makes for a strong value proposition.
Assessment 2: Individual Skills Portfolio (60%)
Student will develop awareness and a wide range of key skills within the graduate attributes framework through experiential learning that contextualises an innovation mind set. Through reflection and review students will draw outcomes and develop an evidence base for the future. This will be captured through 3 items in a portfolio chosen by the individual student. Students will have received approval of their portfolio choices in the formative assessment.
Group assessment will be subject to peer assessment using the University’s tool for peer evaluation of group work contribution.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES3205's Timetable