Development and Assessment of a Training Module on Intellectual Property Literacy

Abstract

This paper describes an online, asynchronous learning module on intellectual property (IP) awareness. The learning module described in this paper is the first of a planned set designed as online asynchronous learning activities to give students the foundational knowledge required to practice and develop associated skills to understand the IP landscape and identify and recognize potential new IP opportunities. The first learning module, titled “IP Literacy,” provides an introduction to IP topics including patents, trademarks, copyrights and creative commons, trade secrets, industrial design, and collaboration; and includes curated videos by experts, plus valuable additional tools and resources. The design of the first module was based upon input from capstone course instructors, students and alumni and has undergone a process of pilot-testing and revision. Based on this feedback, the IP Literacy module was designed in the summer/fall of 2021 and was tested with a small population of undergraduate students to refine the content. A pilot offering to one discipline of students took place in the fall 2021 term, before expanding to additional groups in winter 2022. Survey feedback collected from fall 2021 and winter 2022 pilot offerings of the module was generally positive, with the majority of students agreeing that they learned something, and that the module was relevant to their discipline. This paper will summarize this development and pilot-testing process and discuss the next steps for the project.