This website was created ahead of the NZQA Accreditation and Approval panel visit (13-15th November 2017). That panel has recommended approval of the degree (wahoo!!) and we await formal notification from NZQA. We intend to start teaching first semester 2018.
We're leaving this website up as background for those interested in the degree until it is replaced by information sheets on the Otago Polytechnic website. In the meantime, please contact Samuel.Mann@op.ac.nz for any other information.
Making a Difference in 2018!
A: It is for people who want to "make a difference" whether that be in business, not-for-profit, community etc. It is a capability degree that is mostly project-based and focuses on transferable skills. The outcome of the degree and the way it is achieved is largely self-determined, through a facilitated process of nurturing, curated experiences, reflection and the development of an emergent professional framework of practice.
So, let's say you have a passion to address water issues in Central Otago. By the end of the degree you would have a business card (and the experience, skills and knowledge to justify it) that says "Drylands Water Advocate".
If, on the other hand, you're pretty sure you want to make a difference in the community sector but aren't sure of the issue or levers you can pull, the curated experiences will expose you to a range of work environments to help you identify your passion and tools - say community housing with social networking as an important lever. You'll work with experts to describe a professional framework for your area of focus. Then you undertake projects, negotiated learning and professional experience to develop those capabilities. You might graduate as a "Network Facilitator in Community Resilience".
See > Aim and Graduate Profile.
This is for big thinkers and doers who want to create meaningful and positive change.
We are targeting people who are passionate about making a difference and who are self-motivated. While we would like some evidence of commitment to change (volunteering etc), they do not have to have had significant professional practice experience (ie not the same as Capable NZ's Independent Learning Pathway ILP). The personas are age agnostic but we recognise that they may be school leavers and the degree is structured to provide a nurturing environment for development of identity and independence (including independent learning).
See > Learners
Let's say you have a passion to address water issues in Central Otago. You would spend three years becoming the best "Drylands Water Advocate" possible. If your interest is different, let's say you have an idea for a startup business that will revolutionise the fishing industry - you would probably graduate having already founded your startup, well on the way to making that change happen.
The Bachelor of Leadership for Change is taught by a series of curated experiences and projects, with negotiated learning and regular check-ins to develop and achieve your professional framework of practice - what it means to be a dryland water advocate or technology founder, or community organiser.
See > Exit strategy and professional framework of practice.
See > Structure
See > Capability
See > Capable NZ and Indicative staff
Short answer: Yes.
Longer answers:
A) non-traditional schools are already doing this.
B) Our entry process is about identifying learners who are self motivated, self-directed etc.
C) We seek to change the narrative about "free-form". In the same way that the seemingly laissez-faire Agile approach in software engineering is actually a highly organised and rigorous process (cf so-called Structured approaches). This is all about the structuring of the individual’s learning journey (which gets scant attention in traditional learning).
D) Self-determined learning is a well developed branch of education theory and practice (see Heutagogy). The Bachelor of Leadership for Change incorporates best practice for nurturing of independent learners.
The purpose of this programme is to meet the needs of learners, communities, enterprises, and other groups in professions in an unknown future, where professions are not yet established, but are emerging as hybrids of current professions, or as novel professions emerging from innovation. This purpose can also be framed as meeting the needs of learners who want to develop a practice that is not well captured by current professions.
The programme will not only address the need for future employees with the skills and knowledge to work in as yet undefined professions, but also the transferable skills to adapt and create an impact in a constantly changing context.
Shorter answer: pick one of these.
Community facilitator, Council activities, Project manager, Entrepreneur, Community Support Worker, Alternative retailer, Missionary, Service designer, Environmental advocate, NGO organiser, Green business development advisor, Events organiser, Analyst within Not for profit sector, Mentor. (or make one up...Drylands Water Advocate).
> See Ideal first jobs
Q: How was the Bachelor of Leadership for Change developed? A: A collaborative process of human-centred edcuation development.
Q: Where does this degree fit? A: It is a vocational, capability, professional practice degree.
Q: Who will teach the degree? A: Capable NZ
Q: Is the degree underpinned by research? A: Yes, it is.
Other stuff
Entire programme document submitted to NZQA. (note, some very minor changes agreed during panel including to structure of entry criteria).