Researching Leadership Practice

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Pre-teaching period:

During the pre-teaching period, students will be required to complete reading that will be provided via LMS.

170 hours

Students must have completed at least four subjects in the Master of Instructional Leadership, including EDUC90786 Leading Educational Research, prior to undertaking this subject.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This is the second of two subjects that Master of Instructional Leadership students complete as part of their [AQF] Capstone experience. Drawing on theory, knowledge and skills developed throughout the Master of Instructional Leadership students will implement an intervention or innovation designed to address an issue associated with instructional practice, or that will lead to improvements in teacher quality and student learning and achievement. As part of their project, students will be expected to document planning and implementation decisions, and also research the impact of the intervention on teachers and school students. The Capstone project will culminate with students synthesizing the findings of their research in a written form such as a journal article or report. A hurdle requirement for this subject is that students will also provide an oral presentation of their findings, which should incorporate a reflection on the key learnings and understandings they have gained from their studies in the Master of Instructional Leadership. This subject aligns with the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership National Professional Standard for Principals.

Note: Projects will be based on a set of topics that will be introduced in ‘EDUC90786 Leading Educational Research’.

• Carry out a substantial research-based project
• Analyze data and synthesized research findings
• Present research findings in written and verbal forms
• Produce data/findings that can be used to inform instructional leadership practices

There are three assessment tasks:

• A preliminary report equivalent to 750 words indicating project progress, due mid semester 15%
• A written report of 4250 words (preparation work for the report including project plan and literature reviews on methodological approaches and topic themes are completed in EDUC90786 Leading Educational Research in Semester 1), due end of semester 85%
• A 10-minute oral presentation on the research-based project, due before end of semester - hurdle

This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 80% attendance at all tutorials, seminars and workshops.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Apply critical thinking skills
• Apply foundational research skills to address a research question
• Demonstrate planning and time management skills
• Undertake research independently
• Demonstrate a capacity to communicate research results clearly, comprehensively and persuasively.