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Conceptual Thinking course

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I run lots of courses on lateral thinking, creativity and innovation. A client has asked for a course on conceptual thinking. I can't find much material on it. Do you have any recommended reading or course material?
Paul Sloane

4 Responses

  1. thinking course
    Hi Paul
    The only courses I know in this area are either run by the OU – they have several units covering this or a university with a strong psychology school – many run short courses.

    Good luck
    Mike

  2. Conceptual thinking definition
    I have worked for many years in learning design, and confess that this is a new one to me! However if wikipedia has it (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conceptual_thinking) it must exist! “a process of independent analysis in the creative search for new ideas or solutions, which takes as its starting point that none of the accepted constraints of “today’s reality” need necessarily to apply to or to shape the future. Thus it does not accept received wisdom, the status quo nor inertia as necessary determinants of every bit of the future.” So it would include elements of what you already do – problem solving, creative thinking, mind (or concept) mapping and so on. It’s linked to de Bono in the article; it sounds like the emphasis is on NEW ideas. Paradigm shift is one of the recommended references. So depending on the audience (would be different for differing levels of an organisation), I would tend to start with the kinds of brief summaries of case studies in creative solutions that the Harvard Business Review does so well, then come back to a process and tools to arrive at innovative solutions, practising with selected ones of their own workplace. It sounds fascinating, so good luck with that!

  3. Possible read…
    Paul

    I would suggest reading a book called “Did you spot the Gorilla – How to recognise hidden opportunities in your life” by Richard Wiseman

    It is not only an entertaining read, but shows discuss how to open up the mind to develop more creative ideas

    May be useful… especially as some things in the book can be transferred easily into the training environment

    Thanks

    Rob

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Did-You-Spot-Gorilla-Opportunities/dp/0099466430