EDM147-Leading and Managing Educational Change

Module Provider: Institute of Education
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Email: c.k.turner@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

In this module, students will critically analyse key aspects of leading and managing educational change. The module will examine the social, economic, cultural, and political forces driving educational change in different contexts in education. Students will become much more appreciative of the complexities of change and understand why there is always a ‘gap’ between policy initiation (for example, at government and institutional level) and policy implementation at classroom level. Students will consider the effects of government-led curriculum changes in primary and secondary education, as well as policy initiatives which place an ever-increasing expectation on all sectors of education to address societal concerns (e.g. healthy living; bullying and the use of social media; mental health awareness, inclusion). The importance of staff collaboration and teamwork will be emphasised when attempting to lead and manage change successfully. By reflecting on their own practice, drawing on case study research examples and critically appraising a range of theoretical models, students will investigate whether there are any identifiable stages of change, what people’s reaction to change may be (especially people’s resistance to change) and what possible strategies may help education leaders and managers implement change successfully. Finally, students will gain a broader prespective by understanding the increasing emphasis on emotional intelligence as a critical, but often missing element of the leadership and management of change in education. 

Aims:

To develop an appropriate understanding of the key concepts and issues related to leading and managing educational change

• To critically examine the literature associated with leading and managing educational change and to relate this to professional practice


• To critically examine theories, frameworks and conceptual models of leading and managing change from education, and elsewhere, and relate these to professional practice


• To enable participants to reflect upon, and enhance, their own professional practice as educational leaders and managers


• To provide an opportunity for participants to prepare to possibly undertake a small-scale research study in the area of leading and managing educational change within their own institution, as part of their dissertation.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On successful completion of this module participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts and issues surrounding leading and managing educational change and how these relate to political, cultural and societal influences


• Critically examine the literature associated leading and managing educational change and relate this to professional practice


• Critically examine theories, frameworks and conceptual m odels of leading and managing change from education and elsewhere and relate these to professional practice


• Reflect upon and enhance their own professional practice as educational leaders and managers• To enable participants to reflect upon, and enhance, their own professional practice as educational leaders and managers.

Additional outcomes:

• Students will have developed increased depth to their understanding of a substantial body of knowledge Students will have increased their ability to communicate complex information in oral communication in small discussions and activites.


• Students will develop their IT and bibliographic skills. They will have the opportunity to use the on-line readings on Blackboard which are available for this module and make an appropriate selection of these resources for constructing their assignment.


• Students will understand more about the drivers of change from a global perspective

Outline content:

The specialist skills, knowledge and understanding will be developed around the following topics:

• Outcomes in education: Accountability, evaluation and effectiveness especially in relation to curriculumn changes


• The Importance of Motivation of Staff when leading and managing ChangeLeading and managing change


• Leading and managing change


• Leading and managing teams


• Professional development of staff
  

Global context:

This module will draw on Western theories of Leadership and Management in the main, but reference will also be made to other international contexts as appropriate (for example, China, Saudi Arabia) and how the international economic environment affects global organisational leadership and management practice (for example, the privatisation of Higher Education, globalisation and market forces).

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Teaching and learning activities will include lectures and seminars, peer-led group discussions, and individual/group tutorials. Independent study will be facilitated by handouts, self-directed tasks and directed reading.

Summative assessment- Examinations:
n/a

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One written essay, 4500 words in length.

For the assignment, students will be required to undertake a literature-based study related to leading and managing change. They should demonstrate their understanding of the complex nature of change; be familiar with a number of theoretical models of change; and show a clear grasp of what it means to lead and manage change in a specific context.  Exact topics will be negotiated with the module leader. This assignment is then to be written up and submitted as a research report of 4,500 words.

Formative assessment methods:

Students are required to submit an – assignment proposal form by the midpoint of the module which needs to be approved by the module leader before any research is carried out. They will write a 750 word formative piece of work which will be assessed in terms of its strengths and weaknesses. Students are also required to present their research ideas to the rest of the group for comments/feedback towards the end of the module.

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:
50%

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmissions must be submitted within one calendar month of the notification of failure.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 14 July 2020