EDPROF 724 : Developing Communities of Learning

Education and Social Work

2024 Semester Two (1245) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Critically examines key theoretical concepts and processes related to networked improvement communities, with a specific focus on optimising their development as drivers of change. Emphasis is on integrating theory and practice, especially concepts of equity and collaborative practices as they relate to solving problems of practice within and across educational settings.

Course Overview

This online course is flexibly designed for teachers and leaders working in schools, ECE, and others interested in the development of collaborative practices within their own context as well as across schools, such as Kāhui Ako or other networked communities. It is also designed for policy leaders.
 
You will develop deep conceptual and practical knowledge focused on equity and collaboration for improved outcomes for all learners.  You will increase your understanding of the complex challenges involved in leading for equity and how social networks can support collaboration and efforts  to transform schooling within and across the community to better serve the needs of all learners.  Emphasis is placed on developing critical reflection of your own learning and leadership practice.
 
The course draws on international and New Zealand literature. 

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of equity, social justice, equity traps and biases to support the development of equitable outcomes in education contexts. (Capability 1, 3, 4, 5 and 8)
  2. Critically examine the literature on leadership practices that promote educational equity through working collaboratively. (Capability 1, 3, 4, 5 and 8)
  3. Understand theoretical underpinnings of effective collaboration and its role in addressing complex challenges of inequitable learner outcomes (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 8)
  4. Understand a range of concepts related to social network theory and apply those to the improvement of networks. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7)
  5. Understand how rigorous collaborative inquiry can support equity challenges to be met. (Capability 3, 4, 7 and 8)
  6. Critically evaluate relational trust, uncertainty, perceptions of risk and vulnerability in relation to school cultures and their efforts to work collaboratively. (Capability 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7)
  7. Critically reflect on personal theories, learning and leadership practice in collaborative networks for equity. (Capability 1, 2, 4 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignment 1 30% Group & Individual Coursework
Assignment 2 50% Individual Coursework
Presentation 20% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Assignment 1
Assignment 2
Presentation

To pass this course you need to submit all assessments and achieve at least 50% for the course overall

Workload Expectations

Students are recommended to spend up to 25 hours per week engaging with course activities and readings, and assignment related preparation.  Full participation in, and completion of all the online activities aids success. 

Delivery Mode

Online

Course learning material is provided on CANVAS. Students are recommended to keep up to date with the module materials as learning is cumulative. Students are expected to view the online video material at the start of each module and complete asynchronous  'Connection-Making' activities  as part of Assignment 1.  There are opportunities  to participate in optional synchronous discussion/drop-in sessions. Recordings will be made when appropriate.
Attendance on campus is not required.

This course runs to the University EDSW semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply. Semester breaks are based on school holidays. 

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

No set text. Readings are provided on a TALIS reading list accessed via CANVAS

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student feedback has been considered in the planning of this course. 

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Assignment 2 is required to be submitted through Turnitin. This software provides an originality report. 

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 02/11/2023 05:02 p.m.