If work-integrated learning (WIL) practitioners are to re-imagine education for an uncertain future world of work, they need the right space and freedom to stimulate thinking outside the square. This type of innovative thinking is a challenge for many of us at the best of times. Yet these very recent times have seen an enormous impetus to find new ways of being and doing in higher education. Enhancing our creative thinking capacity gives us hope of finding solutions to complex issues in WIL such as; the use of AI, changing student needs, industry requirements to name a few. Examining issues in the same way as we have always done will not result in the best solution for all stakeholders. In the words of Einstein “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

This paper will discuss how collaborative small group conversations where perplexity or “disorienting dilemmas” (based on the work of Dewey and Mezirow) can be utilised to provoke reflective and creative thinking. The types of provocations included the use of songs, images, poetry and quotes. The art of provocative discussion and drawing on our collective wisdom can open us to new ways of thinking, innovation, and give us hope for coping with an uncertain future.

Keywords: Work-Integrated Learning, reflective thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, conversation.