Who is this module for?

The module gives you an opportunity to critically evaluate practice experience in relation to theory and research relevant to leadership in academic contexts and to the experience of your fellow participants, colleagues and tutors. You will explore key concepts, theories and research relevant to coordinating, managing, supporting, mentoring or otherwise leading and influencing teaching and learning practice. You will do this in relation to your own local context and that of your fellow participants.
Main themes and topics supporting this process include:
institutional and higher education context and implications for leading and influencing the development of teaching and learning
different leadership styles, theories and approaches and their relative usefulness in academic leadership contexts
leading and developing individuals, groups and teams to enhance teaching, learning and assessment
negotiating individual differences and diversity, facilitating inclusive participation and encouraging climates for staff and student learning
coaching, mentoring and managing individual and team performance to enhance teaching, learning and assessment and feedback activity
motivating and influencing others and communicating with impact to enhance teaching, learning and assessment
relationship building, networking, negotiation and collaboration
issues of politics, power and identities in an academic context
Teaching and learning methods
You should expect to spend a minimum of four hours per week working on the module, which will be delivered by online distance learning. You will work through a range of background resources, including core readings for each topic and relate this material to your own experience of academic leadership. You will also be expected to contribute to online collaborative activities and to maintain a reflective record of your engagement with course resources and activities through an online blog and through posting comments on the blogs of your peers. You should consider your fellow participants as one of the most important resources in helping you develop your leadership skills and thinking about leadership in an academic context. Participants will be encouraged to engage in online peer mentoring activity and support the development of fellow participants' leadership skills.
Assessment
The assessment will consist of:
an e-portfolio to evidence and demonstrate a critical evaluation of your practice in coordinating, managing, supporting, mentoring or otherwise leading and influencing teaching and learning practice (4,000 words, excluding appendices and supporting evidence)
a webcast simulating your provision of coaching and mentoring support (indicative length 10-15 minutes, equivalent to 1,000 words)