Website: http://bit.ly/gse571 Mighty Network (https://gse571s.mn.co):  ~ Course hashtag: #gse571

The primary focus of the course will be on the development of specific knowledge and skills necessary to lead a change initiative in an urban or suburban school system. 

Students will: 

1. Develop an understanding of systems thinking as it applies to planning for educational change.

2. Examine multiple ways in which change takes place in educational settings.

3. Examine major philosophical models used to transform ineffective teaching and learning processes into ones that are effective.

4. Develop skills for structuring a school community around issues of school transformation.

5. Research, design, and plan an instructional change model that can be used to make change in a school setting.

Typical Class Breakdown

As this course will be co-constructed, some course content will be filled in by students during the first two classes ~ based on their presentation topic. Given the tight schedule of a summer course here is what I recommend  and believe is an effective approach for maximizing your learning throughout the semester:

• 1. Read the chapter introduction (i.e. theoretical foundations & critical thinking)

  2. Review my presentation ~ typically posted on MN and/or Moodle (use the presentation as review while blogging or working on scenario questions)

  3. Read the scenario (please read 2 or 3 times). Questions to ask: 

     • What should the principal do next? 

     • What factors should the principal consider before responding? 

     • What additional information, if any, will the principal need to develop an effective response? 

     • What are some sources the principal can use to acquire additional information?

4. Small group interaction via ZOOM breakout room. It is suggested that you:

• • • Think about the scenario from multiple points of view

    • Identify critical issues in the scenario

    • Determine the knowledge base (the models) necessary for addressing the issues

    • Project a course of action

    • Identify the probable consequences of the chosen course of action

    • Identify the theoretical principles that apply to suggested alternative actions

    • Review the suggested responses to each issue

    • Suggest alternative actions to those given in the text

    • Pose reflective questions to members of the group

5. Respond to the reflective questions

6. Participate in general class discussion

7. After class, read assigned article (if any) and write the weekly blog (max. 1000 words) synthesizing

• • • the chapter reading with the article ~ what's the same? what's different?

    • what was discussed in small groups and with the whole class? what do you agree with or disagree?

    • what does Sam think & more importantly what do you think?

    • anything else that comes to mind

This course will use Moodle  and Perusall for assignment submission and feedback. 

Please Note: Mobile computing or communications devices are permitted to be used during the class as long as they are used for the course content. We are trying to model social media use by school administrators (BlueSky, LinkedIn, etc.) and best way to do is is to use it! 

Attendance is required in this course: Students are expected to log in on time, remain for the full class period, and actively participate. 

Only valid reasons, including medical, family emergencies, observance of holy days, work obligations, and intercollegiate sports activities are justifiable reasons to miss class. If one is to miss class, it is required that they contact the instructor beforehand if at all possible. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the course instructor. 

The instructor may recommend withdrawal from the course in cases of unavoidable but excessive absence. 

At the discretion of the instructor, unexcused absences may result in a substantial downgrading of your final mark.

Attendance will be taken for record keeping purposes.