Introduction to Digital Innovation

COURSE OBJECTIVE
After successfully completing this course, students will:

• Understand the fundamental basics of hardware, software and networking that form the basis for digital innovation
• Be able to link past, current, and emerging technologies to digital innovation
• Be able to explain recent technological developments related to big data, social media, mobile, cloud computing and the Internet of Things
• Master the technological fundamentals of designing and developing innovative digital tools.

COURSE CONTENT
Digital innovation relates to “a product, process, or business model that is perceived as new, requires some significant changes on the part of adopters, and is embodied in or enabled by IT” (Fichman et al., 2014). In this course, we focus on the technological developments that have given rise to digital innovation. Topics addressed include the fundamental developments in hardware, software and networking that form the basis for digital innovation. Issues like the increasing processing and storage capacity of digital devices, the miniaturization of technology, smarter software and the increasingly interconnected nature of networks will be discussed to provide a basis for understanding where digital innovation comes from – and where it might go to. Secondly, the course addresses recent technological developments in information technology like big data, social media, mobile devices, cloud computing and the Internet of Things. We analyze what possibilities for innovation arose from these developments, and how digital innovations have been developed and implemented in practice. Many practical examples of digital innovations will be discussed in the lectures. Next to the lectures in which these subjects are discussed, students will also put their knowledge about digital innovation into practice in developing an innovative digital tool that connects to the developments and issues discussed in the lectures.

TEACHING METHODS
Lectures Computer tutorials

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT
Individual written exam Group project assignment