A Crash Course In Creativity

A Crash Course In Creativity is an inspirational video that encourages and stimulates type of innovation and unlock creativity. For people who are not living to their creative potential due to the environment they live in, Crash Course In Creativity plays a role in displaying or presenting the innovation engine that Tina Seeling mentioned. This engine is mainly describes the job of both internal combustion engine and outer engine. Internal engine is all about imagination, which results from depth in knowledge that creates ideas and brings it for life, and this accompanied and followed by importance of learning and paying attention, and lastly attitude. So bringing those three aspects to the point that each and every one has a task or a mission to fill the gap of creativity; knowledge is the tool box for creativity, imagination is for the transformation of knowledge into new ideas, and attitude is the spark that gets this going. The internal engine is mainly originated from the outer engine, where people’s creativity started from and the kind of habitat he is used to live in to create the creative part. Although some people can be inborn with being creative and some got affected by the not only the habitat but also resources, and culture. These are the outer engines that help people to think diversely and creatively, to be able to connect and combine ideas easily, and ease the way of framing ideas that would attract people’s attention, and challenge assumptions that will lead to the internal engine. To do so everyone should use the key of innovation and up to them whether to turn it or not

Answers and Questions of the Interview

What is your name?
Pawel Kuzma
What is your title job?
Here in AUC Adjunct faculty Professor
What is your age?
33
How did you find that music is your passion?
–  In the beginning, he was forced by his parents, because they wanted
him to do art as a hobby. Then he went when he was like 7 or 8, they
send him to the music center and the only free place in the music
center was actually the last place was guitar. So he was like ok there
is no other choice so he took guitar, it wasn’t his decision, he
didn’t do it because he wanted to, but his parents forced him to do it
and later on when he started to play guitar he suddenly discovered
that it’s actually very cool and it was a good choice that they forced
him to do it and his parents were standing on top of him like practice
practice. Then after few years he realized that this is what he wants
to do in his life.
What is the difference that you have faced with music culture between
Egypt and Europe?
-Well there is a common misunderstanding that music is a universal
language and it’s not a universal language, we cannot communicate
universally with music, we cannot understand music in the same way,
because it always depends from we come from. So it is always affected
by our culture, our experience, what is happening around us. So as you
know, Egypt is very different than Poland in many many ways so it also
affects how we listen to Art or how we listen to music or perceive
art, and because of that also people focus here in Egypt on very
different elements or things than Europe like here, what is the most
important is the message behind the music, like if he plays his music
and there is a lot of emotions going out from it, but they need to be
very precised, so he needs to go always in one direction if he jumped
through emotions, people don’t like this here, people like when he
goes straight, but in one direction. On the other hand, in Europe they
focus or in Poland, it is more about how precised you are with your
music, it doesn’t focus much on the expression, it does not need to be
so much expressive as it needs to be technically good and technically
correct then comes the second level of importance, is how much of
emotions you put into the music and then one can jump to different
emotions. When people in Poland listen to the music, they really
appreciate when one is able to switch from opposite emotions like from
something very happy to something very sad or tragic to do those
channels but from his experience and people in Egypt want to
experience and digest everything, which is very good.
Which countries that you have found yourself comfortable in terms of
the reaction of the people to your music?
-United States was very good, people did really enjoy the music and
they were really enjoying his way of playing, because every musician
has his or her  own way in playing and everybody would play
differently even if some a group of Guitarists play the same piece
each and every one will play it differently. So in United States, he
notices that people enjoyed his way of playing a lot, the same in
Egypt; people really appreciate music her and it is really nice to
play for Egyptian audiences. In Poland it is much more difficult,
because it is technically demanding, because the music he plays is
European so it is very obvious that people in Europe will be the most
demanding towards this music. So it is much more difficult to play
there because they will catch every small mistake and they would say
that you made mistake in this specific in music, they are picky. But
he likes when people don’t focus on the technical part, when people
actually go beyond that behind the techniques and going to the
expression like what the art is really about
Tell me about a challenge you’ve faced at work and how you dealt with
it in university?
-It is fun, he really likes it here, people are very cool, but what he
can complain about students a bit is when students always want to have
easy time like go through the subject easy and get straight A’s and
this is not how it works.
What are you looking forward to ?
-He has many things going on at the same timelike he plays in few
different ensembles and he is trying to start Doctoral degree in US in
Los Angeles, so he is waiting for the acceptance letter and this what
he is looking for now.

Liquefy Syllabus

I have put some pictures on a powerpoint showing our group work and the prototype of our game

powerpoint (creative thinking)

The creative thinking and problem solving in Cairo course is an unforgettable experience. All the assignments, projects, and activities were so efficient. It was a really beneficial experience and i would really like to take it again. But from my point of view if i will take this course again, there are things that can be changed for making this course at its best. The Videos of TedTalk even though they improve listening and writing skills but they are not that effective as the reflection assignments. Field trips such as Maker fair is better to be at the creative course hour not in the weekend, because not all the class can make it. More of projects that includes prototypes that not only the member groups will benefit from, but also people who are playing the game. Also working with more organizations and going in the streets and ask people’s opinions.

Reflection on the Course

Joining the Creative Thinking Course in Cairo was one of the best choices i made in this semester. I couldn’t value the importance of creativity and i thought that it was not a big deal but after taking this course it really change my mentality. Thanks to all the activities that we did inside and outside the class. Although the activity that we did on twitter was a little bit hard to follow because i am not active on twitter. Yet it was challenging and fun for trying different and new thing. Also doctor Hoda’s achievements with us in this course were so many like the Maker Fair, solving problem of Ana Masry organization and the knowledge that we grasped from Food Bank. I am so grateful for the change that i personally noticed not only in my thinking skills but as a person. How to become a responsible person and solving the problems that this culture faced was one of the important things this course opened my eyes on. When we reached the end of the first half of the semester with doctor Hoda and we were about to get in the second half of the semester, the game design, I had so many concerns about how will I be able to design a game or even how will I deal with the opinions and different prespectives of my group. I was really worried about how will I even begin to think about it, the idea itself made me nervouse. Which part I’ll be taking when we estimate the group work, how will I be able to lay down my ideas on the table and how far I will be able to express them. So many questions were going on my mind. Even though the game design course was a little bit intense and I found it myself hard to get through for I thought that I was not good at designing and planning but after digging and getting deeper in this module it proved me wrong. Doctor Maha managed to make this course so easy to comprehend and fun at the same time. As a class we were so active for Doctor Maha supported us through every step in the gamification process and through the whole module. Each and every activity that was done in and outside the class had to have a creative thought or idea behind it. In fact when we were trying out different games to help us in creating, it wasn’t only about education, but to inetract and communicate with my colleagues. As a result, this had helped my group and I to get along and get a head and series into designing the game. As the experience we gained from the first module, we used it in this project like thinking laterally, collaborating, sharing and respecting eachothers different prespectives can integrate in a one complete idea. Therefore this can lead to a complete and a successful game. At last, after hard work, deterioration, and determination, we were capable of doing a prototype to our game in which we displayed it for people to play. The thing that really made our game different is that it is really inviting because there were activities that required interaction and motion. Thanks to the games that we used to play in the class where our game was inspired from. Overall, the experiences I gained throughout this module are innumerous. I learnt that everyone is creative in his own way and that no one is not creative. I understood the meaning of working in groups, and felt that my thinking skills improved. I really appreciate the experience and skills that I have gained throughout the two modules and hope that I could take this course again but different topic. Also try new things without being shy and worried. This experience wouldn’t be that successful without the effort of doctor Maha and doctor Hoda who played an important role in teaching us an important lesson. Creativity exists in everyone.

The Designing of Our Game

The design of our game witnessed progress until we put the final touches. This progress was rendered to develop group work, putting in efficient ideas, and finding a creative and an interactive way to attract a group age. We succeded to provide infromation about Egyptian historic places, egyptian food, egyptian music, and egyptian movies. Furthermore, our game participants will also get to know more about the Egyptian culture. Throughout experiencing the game it turned out to be so easy to comprehend, easy to play, and most importantly having fun while playing. This is definetly the most important element of a successful game. I myself while trying out our game, noticed how we as a group developed our ideas while moving a head one day after another. New ideas were added until we reached a decisive conclusion. Nevertheless we managed to incorporate several challenges to the game to make it more interesting. Although the assignment was challenging we managed to complete it in the designated time table. Our game tends to be educational, yet to be different in its own way. Although our game is inspired from Taboo, scavenger hunt, jeopardy, and charades we added to our game some clues for the scavenger hunt while the participants act out, sing or drawing. The benefits of this game is to interact with others also help the participants to break the ice in the relationship and get to know eachother easily and in an indirect way, a tool of developing communication and to think in an unusual way( thinking laterally) and finally to make the game leave its finger print in designing games.

Creatopia Reflection

Creatopia day was such a new and unique experience. I had the chance of trying out creative games.I had the chance not only to play with these great games but i played with both professional game designers and students as they helped us to understand the game and taking by their advice to compensate it in our game. I tried to use the time efficiently and asked the students and professional game designers what is the main target to start designing an educational game yet fun at the same time; one of the owners of the game told me that in order to start designing a proper game I have to look first at the idea of the game it it will benefit the players at the long-term and a game that every time has something different or new to offer for not to be boring. Moreover, when i subject the object of the game i have to start with it and followed with the other steps. This game had took creativity to a whole new level where the process presents a kind of an edge to the game like the treasure which i like a gift,  the cards which is a penalty whatever the card says your penalty. Over all the process of the game is so effective, but it is a little bit complicated, it is not easy to understand it but after i started to get into the game i immediately understood it. Here are some pictures of the game.

Here is another game for music lovers that educates people more about music

 

 

 

 

Scavenger Hunt

Before starting the Scavenger Hunt, my experience with twitter was zero; I was not the type of a twitter person, because I used to see my friends and my cousins tweeting all the time but I had no interest in it for i do not like tweeting, even in any other social media because I am not that active on social media . Not only i used to see it as a waste of time, but also the thing I noticed and that really bugs me is how my cousins and friends got addicted to it to an extent where I can sit with them but sometimes they don’t pay attention to what I am telling them because they are busy texting, posting or tweeting and it irritates me because I feel that it is a little bit disrespecting or it makes the person feel  underestimated. I thought that this technology is taking over peoples’ minds and that social media as a whole is brain washing technology. But it turned out that I was wrong in somethings. Although social media wastes time, but it actually makes the person aware in which one can explore and being introduced to new things. The twitter experience wasn’t bad after all, indeed it introduced me to a new experience where i can share information and experience the feeling of sharing things with friends where your ideas and thoughts can actually be creative and share something that people can see it beneficial and can actually use it. Most importantly you gain different and various information that can make you realize the value of diverse thinking. For instance the experience of the Scavenger hunt was a totally different and new thing that I was ignorant about; like interacting with people you don’t know made me learn not to be afraid of trying something new.

where do you find this place?

What Makes a Good Educational Game

Through the good educational game process, I found that the three articles i looked for are all have the same main points. These articles states that a good educational game should not only be challenging, but also fun at the same time. It should also encourage systemic thinking. Moreover, educational games should be developed in a way that connects to people and make them attracted to it. Therefore, it shouldn’t be so easy for not the game to turn boring, also to suit all the group ages. So these games should grasp the attention of  people in order to be successful and popular.

Maker Faire

Maker fair has been an unforgettable experience. Regarding the Maker Faire, the idea of just getting into the old AUC campus in Tahrir was a spectacular experience. Nevertheless, while walking in the Maker Fair event, I was fascinated by the different and various types of booths and Clubs each and every group made. I kept looking and standing at most of the clubs to take an idea what is the club about and the strange thing u found the names of known stores like Virsion. Furthermore, some of the clubs that I can remember are marvelous club where people get to make their customs by their own hands, geek club where they have a robot that goes under the water where do tasks by seeing if there any problems in a cable or something like the huge disaster of the internet cable that was severed and damaged in the Red Sea. So by this robot it will solve problems like this. Also the hand made accessories booth, the diaries booth and the presentations that has been done. It was one of a day; the way of observing these People who have done such a wonderful job and putting their small group work into something bigger that reach out to people and show them their effort and hard work. This Maker Fair taught me the value of working not only hard to achieve my goal, but also to cherish and value the group work, because without the group somethings wouldn’t have been done right without their support. The most important thing I have learned from this field trip is Perseverance for it is the key to make all of this happens. These clubs wouldn’t have been there, without experiencing failure because failure is what made then become stronger and successful. The way they think with and the skills they have, made me motivated to start think about my own project.

Reflection on Module 1 and D-Thinking Project

When I first enrolled in the Creative Thinking and Problem Solving course,I thought that I was not going to gain much from it, but it proved me wrong;  this module had such an effective influence on me. This wouldn’t have happened without the help of the advisor who convinced me to take this course , in order to make it  easier to comprehend. Actually I was worried to take this course at first because I thought that I was not a creative person, but after digging and getting deeper in the course, I found that this was just the fear of being introduced to something new. Indeed, after taking this course I found out that it is not only  very useful as it helped me think creatively and find solutions to all problems we face in our daily life creatively, but most importantly changed my mentality and allowed me to think or see the problem from so many sides and perspectives. One of the most important things I learned to be successful in this course is thinking laterally which was the turning point in my way of thinking. Creative thinking also helps individuals to achieve more and struggle less in their lives; it also increases one’s self confidence. One of the most important challenges that I learned  and started to adopt was to to work in a group. At first, I was nervous because I was used to studying alone and I thought that working in groups will allow others to pick my brain, but in reality group work turned out to be more beneficial and fruitful. I realized that group work meant collaboration.  One of the most inspiring  things we have done with Dr Hoda Mostafa  is activities done in class like cross pollination, food bank application, friend gift where we learned to understand our partner we are working with. Another excellent activity presented by Dr. Mostafa was gathering real data by moving on campus and getting students’ opinions about  problems they face on  campus.  The biggest project we have done until now is the fascinating Design thinking project. As a result, these activities helped us in our projects and they will surly help us in the future when we get to do bigger projects. Overall,  the experiences I gained throughout this module are innumerous. I learnt that everyone is creative in his own way and that no one is not creative. I understood the meaning of working in groups, understood the meaning of critical thinking, and felt that my thinking skills improved.

 

Design thinking project was one of the main challenges we faced. Thanks to the organization we have been working with; it opened my eyes to the problems to see it in various ways and what the organization is struggling with. This led me to  understand the problems in order to deal with  them, analyze them, and come up with a creative solution. This organization had actually united us as a group more because we had to go  downtown and meet up with Omar who manages this organization that needed to reaffirm  the Egyptian’s identity and  to tell us about what they needed. Therefore, as a group we came up with a useful idea to help them gain resources, attract more people, and prove themselves among all other organization. Our target was to sustain a guaranteed future for this organization so that it would be accredited.