Innovation: designing for a sustainable future
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How do successful innovations emerge? How do designers, technologists, managers and end-users create and develop new ideas, designs and inventions? How are these translated into marketable products? This course examines these questions, but its concerns go beyond innovation just for commercial and competitive advantage. It also looks at whether and how innovation can be directed towards ensuring a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable future. You'll work on a project either individually or in a team that makes use of the ideas and methods taught in the course. This course is fully accessible even if you do not have a technical background.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Environment, Development and International Studies and Engineering and Technology.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | T307 |
| Credits | 60 |
| OU Level | 3 |
| SCQF level | 10 |
| FHEQ level | 6 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 5 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.
What you will study
Central to the course is a project in which you have the chance to apply some of the ideas and lessons which you have learned.
The course is structured into five blocks that explore various aspects of innovation.
Block 1 Introduction looks at what motivates individuals and organisations to invent, such as the desire to make money, technical curiosity, or a desire to help others. You will see how designers and technologists create ideas for new designs and inventions and consider why some succeed while others fail. The block examines the increasing complexity and cost of developing new technology and how this has changed the influence of the ‘lone inventor’; how the context for innovation has been revolutionised by information and communication technologies (ICTs) and how a concern for the environment has become an increasingly important factor for designers, technologists and consumers.
Block 2 Markets looks at how designers’ ideas are turned into saleable products through the consideration of peoples’ needs. You will see how responses to new ideas and products are identified and how markets shape the innovation process. Through case studies you will consider ways in which products are designed for potential users.
Block 3 Products looks more closely at how new product ideas and inventions are designed, developed and manufactured into commercially viable new products. The block introduces techniques for assessing and reducing the environmental impacts of such products, including the use of environmental assessment software. Through case studies of the practice and management of new product development you will examine the development of conventional products and innovations as well as the practice of, and limitations to, ‘eco-design’ and sustainable design.
Block 4 Diffusion follows through by looking at how products fare in the marketplace – how they diffuse into use, how consumers respond to them, and at the extent to which changing consumer preferences and concerns are influencing future technologies. You will look at examples where consumer concern for environmental protection has led to the development of specific new ‘green’ products and technologies. You will also examine the role of governments in steering the direction of technological and product development to meet environmental objectives.
Finally, Block 5 Consumption looks at what is needed to build a socially and environmentally sustainable future. The block considers whether pressures from consumers and governments, and the efforts of enlightened companies and innovators to develop new, more sustainable technologies, can bring about the change that is needed, or if it will be necessary to develop a more sustainable approach to consumption. The course raises some big questions such as does ‘sustainable consumption’ mean consuming less but gaining a better quality of life?
Student project
An important part of the course is a project that runs through much of the year. It gives you an opportunity to try your hand at parts of the innovation process by generating and developing a new product idea. You have the option of working either individually or in a small group. Support for your project work will be provided by your tutor, as well as through a series of booklets and the course DVD-ROM.
Entry
This is a Level 3 course. Level 3 courses build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from previous studies at Levels 1 and 2. They are intended only for students who have recent experience of higher education in a related subject.
There are no prerequisites for this course, although it would be useful to have studied the Level 2 course Design and designing (T211).
This interdisciplinary course is designed to be fully accessible whether you have a technical background or not. You can get some idea of the content by looking at the study materials. Your regional or national centre will be able to tell you where you can see reference copies.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
While you need to think carefully about your choice of project, there should be sufficient flexibility in the project requirement for you to be able to choose something appropriate. You will need to be able to use a computer to access support material on the DVD-ROMs, and to conduct searches on the internet. The course contains a certain amount of visual material. The books are available in a comb-bound format. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our publication Meeting Your Needs.
You can also find information about accessible study materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
The course is structured around five blocks that comprise printed texts with self-assessment questions and separate guides to study and project work. In addition materials on DVD-ROMs support the study texts and project work. All study materials can also be downloaded from the course website.
Alternative versions of some of the software are available if you use an Apple Mac or Linux system.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities and course software provided on DVD – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2005 or an Apple Mac (OS X 10.4 or later) or Linux computer, it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, who you can ask for advice and guidance. Online tutorials are usually offered on this course. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day-schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. The location of tutorials will depend on the distribution of students taking the course.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
The TMAs include a project report.
Professional recognition
This course may help you to gain recognition from a professional body. You can view or download our Recognition leaflet 3.3 Professional Engineering Institutions for further information.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2013. We expect it to be available once a year.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Environment, Development and International Studies and Engineering and Technology.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | T307 |
| Credits | 60 |
| OU Level | 3 |
| SCQF level | 10 |
| FHEQ level | 6 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 5 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Study explained
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
Student Reviews
This was my final course and I found T307 to be the most interesting and enjoyable. Don't be intimidated by ...
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This was one of the most enjoyable courses I have undertaken, I was a complete beginner but the course presented ...
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