EDF6902

Leading learning communities ( 12 points, SCA Band 0, 0.250 EFTSL)

Leader: Dr B Beatty

Offered:
Clayton First semester 2005 (OCL)
Clayton Second semester 2005 (OCL)

Synopsis: This unit provides three modules that help to prepare the school leader to effect change in her/his organization. Module one provides an introduction to leading thinkers on knowledge management systems. Module two explores critical areas of concern for school development and improved performance across subject areas. Module three explores theories and practices for leading change in schools. A collection of topics in each of these three module areas expands and deepens the student's access to valuable ideas for sustainable leadership success in schools. In addition to learning research and design principles, students gather important knowledge about their research settings.

Objectives: At the completion of this Unit, students will be able to: 1. Engage in meaningful consideration of explicit and tacit knowledge throughout their schools and school communities by gathering and reporting on a school based knowledge inventory. 2. Use key concepts and practices of knowledge management, development and performance principles and organizational leadership to develop their action research plans. 3. Apply their learning from mentor partnerships in a mentoring relationship with a pre-service teacher in the Monash Teacher Education program and apply reflective practices by systematically completing regular entries into a comprehensive journal. 4. Demonstrate awareness of unit topics - such as knowledge management, school wide development and performance planning, management of resources and leading change - in journal entries and by engaging in the development and documentation of progress on a school and/or community collaboration project. 5. Read with discernment and write appropriately and substantially as a professional/scholarly action researcher.

Assessment: The written work (8,000 words) will be required across three assignments detailed in the following summary: 1. Review and report of action research project related knowledge from empirical articles and professional setting (4000 words) (Objectives 1, 2, 4, 5) Weight: 50%. 2. Reflective journal of 5 x 500 word entries integrating learning from scholarly professional and personal experience. This assignment is written in the first person reflective voice. (2500 words) (Objectives 1, 3, 4) Weight: 30%. 3. Work self-directedly and collaboratively with peers by participating in the online forum discussions and in the design, construction and peer evaluation of a website (1500 words): 20% (Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4,5)

Contact Hours: 3 hours per week

Prerequisites: EDF6901