EDUC41620

This module is a companion to the other Leadership module; it is complementary in the sense that it takes a series of contemporary policy concerns and asks repeatedly: what are the leadership implications for Principals, senior and middle management as well as entire school communities? Additionally, these concerns help us to consider what professional responsibility entails while working within constraints, and how we might improve the quality of teaching, learning and leading in our schools while enhancing the profession of teaching, its status and standing within the wider community. Another important dimension of the module is to cultivate an understanding of the dynamics of the policy making process—the impact of international ‘social movements’, international agencies such as the OECD and EU, new technologies and globalisation. Consequently, national policy ‘refracts’ these influences in particular ways shaped by systemic histories and trajectories as well as contemporary political realities. A further consideration is a persistent complaint that Irish teachers are over-reliant on research that is published elsewhere, from outside the jurisdiction, frequently also recommending reforms that do not necessarily ‘fit’ with the realities of schooling in Ireland. Thus, where possible, the contemporary issues module, provides research materials, articles and reports that pertain to this jurisdiction, while remaining open to increased understanding of internationalisation and a general tendency towards policy borrowing and policy homogenisation.

This module will consist of a series of sessions, each focusing on a particular topic. Sessions will take place in a virtual classroom- Zoom on Brightspace.

For each topic addressed, there is assigned reading that you are expected to have read in advance of the session. This assigned reading is available in learning materials.