ED5922 - Leading Communities of Learners

Credit points:	03
Year:	2009
Student Contribution Band:	Band 4
Administered by:	School of Education

In this subject, leadership refers to social practices that influence others to behave in ways that promote high quality student learning. The aim of the subject is to increase students' capacity to match the nature of the leadership they exercise with the specific purpose and context of the community they are leading. The assumptions made here are that good leadership practices are not static and that developing expertise in leadership is a lifelong learning endeavour. The content is organised around the four interconnected themes of: conceptualising leadership within a learning framework; understanding policy making and implementation; leading learning communities; and constructing the self as a leader. This subject is designed for students who wish to better understand the role of leadership in learning communities in particular, students who are in organisational leadership positions or who aspire to such positions. It is also designed for students who although not in defined leadership roles, are aware that leadership can be exercised outside formal roles. All themes require engagement with the literature and reflection on one's own practice and that of others.

Learning Outcomes

• critically appraise a diverse range of theories and perspectives related to leadership including frameworks for enacting leadership;
• evaluate practices in policy making and implementation;
• ascertain the kinds of leadership most suitable for different communities of learners;
• develop one's own personal theories of leadership.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to appraise information critically;
• The ability to use independent judgment to synthesise information to make intellectual and/or creative advances;
• The ability to think laterally and be original;
• The ability to conceptualise problems;
• The ability to conceptualise and evaluate a range of potential solutions to relevant problems;
• The ability to make constructive contributions to project teams or collegial activities;
• The potential to resolve conflicts.

Availabilities
External, Study Period 1
Census Date 27-Mar-2009
Coordinator:	Dr Jo Balatti, Dr Pauline Taylor
Lecturers:	Dr Jo Balatti, Dr Pauline Taylor.
Method of Delivery:	WWW - LearnJCU
Assessment:	two essays requiring online discussion.

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.