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Overview

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. 

Workload Expectations

This course is a 30-point course.

Students are expected to:

  • spend 20 hours per week engaging with course activities, readings and assignment-related preparation. Some weeks you may spend more time learning than in others.
  • keep up with all the readings, activities and tasks in the weekly learning cycle
  • attend the synchronous zooms or actively watch the recording

Students are urged to discuss privately any impairment-related requirements through electronic communication (verbal or written) with the course director or lecturer.

Locations and Semesters Offered

LocationSemester
Auckland Online

Teaching and Learning

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 attend the zoom or 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. 

Teaching and Learning Methods

The course is a 12-week course with 12 modules.  Each week follows this cycle:Before or early in each week, the lecturer will orient students to the module.During the week, students will:

  • engage with learning materials, readings and activities on CANVAS (a learning and collaboration tool).  This mainly involves independent learning (e.g. reading articles and module materials, taking notes, listening to podcasts or watching videos).
  • interact with peers in social learning (e.g. collaborative discussions, peer review).  
  • attend a Zoom with the lecturer and their peers (optional but recommended) to ponder questions, collaborate, and consider how the theories they've learnt can be applied to practice. If students cannot attend the zoom, they should actively watch the recording.
  • ask questions on discussion boards or at a Zoom.   
At the end of the week, students will reflect on and self-diagnose their learning needs.

Module

• Introduction to the course, our community and Kāhui Ako policy

• Collaboration in education - theory and practice
• Barriers and enablers of collaboration - risk and trust
• Improving networks for collaboration #1
• Improving networks for collaboration #2
• Social justice and the equity challenge
• Equity traps, mental models, blind spots and biases
• Leading through an equity lens
• Leading collaboratively for equity
• Leading collaboratively beyond the school gates
• A problem-solving approach to planning for improvement.
• Reviewing our learning - sharing presentations

Learning Resources

Taught courses use a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas to provide students with learning materials including 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.

Additional Information on Learning Resources

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

Canvas materials are copyrighted: they may be used by students to improve education in educational establishments but may not be used commercial purpose. 

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.


You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third-party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

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.

Other Information

This course is best suited to educational professionals with experience in leading. Therefore, to do well in this course, we recommend students have the following experience:

  • At least three years in an education-related profession where responsibilities directly impact students' learning outcomes.
  • At least 1 year of experience in a leadership role(s) or leading projects.  In this role, you should have been responsible or jointly responsible for coordinating groups of educational professionals to improve students' learning outcomes.

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.

Similarly, research students must meet the University’s expectations of good research practice. This requires:

  • Honesty - in all aspects of research work
  • Accountability - in the conduct of research
  • Professional courtesy and fairness – in working with others
  • Good stewardship – on behalf of others
  • Transparency – of research process and presentation of results
  • Clarity - communication to be understandable, explainable and accessible

For more information on the University’s expectations of academic integrity, please see the Academic Conduct section of the University policy hub.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about taught courses is made available to enrolled students in Canvas.

Students may be asked to submit assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations 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.


Additional Information on Academic integrity

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

Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Additional Information on Assessment

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

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type1234567

Student Feedback, Support and Charter

Student Feedback

Feedback on taught courses is gathered from students at the end of each semester 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. In addition, class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Additional Information on Student Feedback

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

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.

Tuākana

Tuākana is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at Tuakana Learning Communities.

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.

Wellbeing

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - please see the Support Services page for information on support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed work 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. This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

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.

Student Academic Complaints and Disputes

Students with concerns about teaching including how a course is delivered, the resources provided, or supervision arrangements, have the right to express their concerns and seek resolution. The university encourages informal resolution where possible, as this is quicker and less stressful. For information on the informal and formal complaints processes, please refer to the Student Academic Complaints Statute in the Student Policies and Guidelines section of the Policy Hub.