ESA503 Leading Educational Change (8)

This subject is designed to develop an understanding of the nature of educational change and to enhance the students' capabilities for planning, leading and managing the process of change. Change is a constant in a healthy and dynamic educational enterprise. This subject will help students to be able to assess their environment, determine a course of action for improvement that is based on an understanding of the forces at play, adapt practices during the change process and evaluate outcomes. These forces will include an assessment of the role external forces, unions, political issues at various levels and organisational responsiveness. Leadership can only be effective if it is based on a wide understanding of the theories of change and through analysis of practices and actions that have led to improvement both locally and internationally. This subject will ensure students have an opportunity to study such theories, practices and actions to build capacity for effective leadership.

Availability

Session 1 (30)
Online
Bathurst Campus
Session 2 (60)
Online
Bathurst Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: ESA503. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Education

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to clearly identify key drivers of educational change;
  • be able to develop an understanding of the nature of educational change in terms of what needs to be known, what new skills need to be acquired and what beliefs and attitudes are involved;
  • be able to develop both an appreciation and understanding of the process of change from a variety of theoretical perspectives;
  • be able to observe, discuss, and delineate the significant dimensions of a desired change including the extent to which underpinning knowledge is contested, who is required to change and in what ways, costs and benefits of the change and the sources of support/opposition;
  • be familiar with the literature concerning the issues associated with the leadership and management of change;
  • have compared and contrasted major local and international change initiatives;
  • be aware of the competencies needed by those who seek to lead and manage educational change;
  • have the capacity to make suitable plans for an educational change that is seen as significant; and
  • have developed an understanding of the issues impacting the creation of a sustainable change culture.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

- Key drivers of educational change at the individual, group, organisational and system levels. - Analysis of educational changes in terms of new learning. - Educational change described by a range of theorists and positions. - Case studies describing changes in a range of local and international educational settings using a variety of descriptors. - Leadership and management as central issues in educational change. - Competencies of effective change agents. - Developing change management plans for a specific educational situation/context - Educational change and sustainability.

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of ESA503 in Session 2 2021. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated and can also differ to suit the mode of study (online or on campus).

Item Number
Title
Value %
1
Introduction and situation description
10
2
Why is change so complex?
40
3
Conceptualising, planning and leading change
50

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: June 2022. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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