Education

Professional Development Courses

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Professional Courses | Education

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Our Professional Development courses in education leverage the resources of Education school and are delivered by instructors that are eager to share their real-world professional practices. Our tuition is designed to give students skills that will instantly translate into positive results in the real world.
They are delivered online mainly. Minimum English language required.

Leading Professional Learning Communities EDM502

Course fee: $2,166 | Course length: 12 weeks | Intake: Feb, Jul, Sep | Online delivery
Course Overview

Schools are hubs of learning where all participants continue to grow and learn. This unit explores the construct of a Professional Learning Community (PLC) and Lave & Wenger’s classic theory of communities. The characteristics of a PLC are defined and students reflect on the roles of member citizens in engaging, imagining and supporting. PLCs are seen as an evolving, context-specific process rather than a model for mass application. Students have opportunity to reflect on professional learning communities within their own work or school and apply theories to their current practice.

Key Learning Outcomes

Identify and apply Biblical principles of leadership to the educational arena of the 21st century.

Apply current research as it relates to the roles of committee members and the effectiveness of the team and identify; and describe behaviour traits and communication styles of team/committee members.

Analyse and describe how the factors of the stages of team development, roles and relationships of team members and models of decision making impact the establishment of and effectiveness of a Professional Learning Community and the development of student leadership.

Use principles of communication and conflict resolution to build consensus.

Analyse and describe theories of reciprocal accountability and professional development in a Professional Learning Community.

Teaching Method

Learning occurs through prescribed reading and research, class discussions and activities, case study analysis, project work, written work and research. This unit may include online presentation using a range of content-based and interactive learning materials, objects and strategies. The unit is supported at every offering by access to an online lecturer and to the resources and student support services of the College.

Formal assessment is a mandatory part of this course. In order to successfully complete the course, you must pass all assessments and ensure you adhere to the relevant due dates. Details of the specific assessment requirements can be found by contacting the school of Education.

Curriculum Leadership for Rigour and Relevance EDM503

Course fee: $2,166 | Course length: 12 weeks | Intake: Feb, Jul, Sep | Online delivery
Course Overview

Our nation has an Australian Curriculum and the core principles of our curriculum are based on the Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians (2008). These documents commit Australians to a world class curriculum that promotes excellence and equity where all learning citizens are active, confident and successful.

Key Learning Outcomes

Identify 21st century knowledge and skills as these represent the global perspective, designing or adapting K-12 curriculum frameworks to ensure that students can demonstrate 21st century knowledge and skills as readiness for both college and the workplace.

Address rigour and relevance in their curriculum and pedagogical knowledge to create learning opportunities.

Extend awareness of ways in which P-12 curriculum can become more rigorous and relevant by adapting for higher order thinking skills and assisting others in this as a Teacher Leader.

Explore the ways in which educators can extend Jesus’ teachings into 21st century learning environments.

Review and refine personal or professional mission or philosophy statements based on information from the curriculum course.

Teaching Method

Learning occurs through prescribed reading and research, class discussions and activities, case study analysis, project work, written work and research. This unit may include online presentation using a range of content-based and interactive learning materials, objects and strategies. The unit is supported at every offering by access to an online lecturer and to the resources and student support services of the College.

Formal assessment is a mandatory part of this course. In order to successfully complete the course, you must pass all assessments and ensure you adhere to the relevant due dates. Details of the specific assessment requirements can be found by contacting the school of Education.

Leading Classroom Pedagogies: Instruction & Inquiry for Engagement EDM505

Course fee: $2,166 | Course length: 12 weeks | Intake: Feb, Jul, Sep | Online delivery
Course Overview

Pedagogy is a popular and misunderstood term in education. In this unit educators are given the opportunity to evaluate pedagogical practices and their own personal pedagogies in the context of the Australian curriculum and its mandated pedagogical requirements. Direct instruction, the flipped classroom and inquiry learning theories and practices are defined and described. Students connect digital technology as a form of social media, research and a multimedia teaching tool for 21st Century learning with pedagogy.

Key Learning Outcomes

Recognise the skills necessary to collaborate as a team member.

Define pedagogy, gain understanding of a range of pedagogical approaches and evaluate them in an Australian context.

Identify the guiding principles of direct instruction, enquiry and engagement in teaching and learning, including evidence based research into student engagement.

Evaluate, as a Teacher Leader, how professional learning is enhanced and can occur in a variety of ways using social media.

Support Professional Learning Community performance by planning resources that improve achievement as a Teacher Leader.

Teaching Method

Learning occurs through prescribed reading and research, class discussions and activities, case study analysis, project work, written work and research. This unit may include online presentation using a range of content-based and interactive learning materials, objects and strategies. The unit is supported at every offering by access to an online lecturer and to the resources and student support services of the College.

Formal assessment is a mandatory part of this course. In order to successfully complete the course, you must pass all assessments and ensure you adhere to the relevant due dates. Details of the specific assessment requirements can be found by contacting the school of Education.

Leading Data-Based Change Management EDM506

Course fee: $2,166 | Course length: 12 weeks | Intake: Feb, Jul, Sep | Online delivery
Course Overview

Research and data are dynamic tools for improving schools and student outcomes. The utilisation of student achievement data and systematic research in educational contexts is standard practice in schools for improving student outcomes and systems of operation. In this unit, data-based decision-making and research-based practice are critiqued and examined using theory to clarify what it means to use data or to make research-informed choices.

Key Learning Outcomes

Identify, explain and communicate the value and danger of data in a range of contexts including individual context, school, national and global contexts in an era of accountability and transparency.

Critically reflect on a positivist research-based understanding of data in the curriculum and its use for students in Assessment for Learning.

Evidence the development of skills in using data for individual and whole school reporting and assessing student knowledge in literacy and numeracy.

Demonstrate understanding of the role of positivist action research in data collection and use in schools and classrooms.

Demonstrate that they can understand the differences in sociological advantage in their approaches to the use of data, and that they can communicate their own data philosophy towards personalised learning and communities of practice from a faith-based perspective.

Teaching Method

Learning occurs through prescribed reading and research, class discussions and activities, case study analysis, project work, written work and research. This unit may include online presentation using a range of content-based and interactive learning materials, objects and strategies. The unit is supported at every offering by access to an online lecturer and to the resources and student support services of the College.

Formal assessment is a mandatory part of this course. In order to successfully complete the course, you must pass all assessments and ensure you adhere to the relevant due dates. Details of the specific assessment requirements can be found by contacting the school of Education.

Effective Leadership and Management EDM507

Course fee: $2,000 | Course length: 12 weeks | Intake: Feb, Jul, Sep | Online delivery
Course Overview

Leadership and management are defined as distinct and interrelating concepts. This unit explores the history and theory of leadership, from factory models such as Ford and Taylor through leadership styles, gender, power, emotions, metaphors of leadership and complexity leadership theory, spiritual leadership and sustainable leadership practices. Students are invited to explore the key characteristics of Christian leadership. Management principles and metaphors are also explored, and students have the opportunity to develop their own metaphors and modes of leadership and management based on professional experience and worldview perspective. Leadership and management are further connected to vision and mission statements and ethos.

Key Learning Outcomes

Identify, explain and communicate philosophical questions, domains and issues including faith-based issues as they relate to school leadership.

Evaluate and assess organisational culture and the impact of diversity while incorporating leadership and organisational theory as applied to building leadership.

Cultivate commitment to and ownership of the school’s instructional vision, mission, values, and organisational goals, and develop ways to ensure all key decisions are aligned to the vision, and aimed towards improving teacher effectiveness and student achievement.

Establish programs and leadership practices to support teachers by providing prompt, high-quality feedback aimed at improving student outcomes within the context of continual school improvement as a Teacher Leader.

Teaching Method

Learning occurs through prescribed reading and research, class discussions and activities, case study analysis, project work, written work and research. This unit may include online presentation using a range of content-based and interactive learning materials, objects and strategies. The unit is supported at every offering by access to an online lecturer and to the resources and student support services of the College.

Formal assessment is a mandatory part of this course. In order to successfully complete the course, you must pass all assessments and ensure you adhere to the relevant due dates. Details of the specific assessment requirements can be found by contacting the school of Education.

Creativity and Innovation for Leadership EDM508

Course fee: $2,166 | Course length: 12 weeks | Intake: Feb, Jul, Sep | Online delivery
Course Overview

Creativity and Innovation are core skills for 21st century entrepreneurial leaders as they create opportunities to shape school cultures, strategic planning and curriculum innovation. Lateral thinking can shape pedagogical approaches, leadership and management practices and learning cultures in active ways. Creativity and a distinctive style can redefine situations, decision making, learning and curriculum choice and school cultures. Leadership in creativity and innovation is defined through enabling. In this unit, models of creativity and innovation and their theories and theorists are explored, and the opportunity to reflect on the nature of creativity and Christianity is offered. The role of deep reflection to enable creativity and innovation is applied.

Key Learning Outcomes

Learning occurs through prescribed reading, class discussions and activities, case study analysis, project work and peer review. This unit includes online presentation using a range of content-based and interactive learning materials, objects and strategies (e.g. study guides, quizzes, websites, podcasts, discussions and online forums).

Formal assessment is a mandatory part of this course. In order to successfully complete the course, you must pass all assessments and ensure you adhere to the relevant due dates. Details of the specific assessment requirements can be found by contacting the school of Business.

Understand and describe the core principles of Creativity and Innovation as applied to Christian Education.

Demonstrate understanding of theories and models that impact the practice of Creativity and Innovation as a Teacher Leader.

Articulate the nature and role of Creativity and Innovation in the context of a changing educational milieu (noting spiritual, social, cultural, economic factors).

Demonstrate the application of Creative and Innovative Teacher Leadership skills with respect to a range of contemporary educational problems and scenarios.

Create a Creativity and Innovation framework to use with others in their role as a Teacher Leader.

Teaching Method

Learning occurs through prescribed reading and research, class discussions and activities, case study analysis, project work, written work and research. This unit may include online presentation using a range of content-based and interactive learning materials, objects and strategies. The unit is supported at every offering by access to an online lecturer and to the resources and student support services of the College.

Formal assessment is a mandatory part of this course. In order to successfully complete the course, you must pass all assessments and ensure you adhere to the relevant due dates. Details of the specific assessment requirements can be found by contacting the school of Education.

Teaching Students with Diverse Abilities EDSF504

Course fee: $2,104 | Course length: 12 weeks | Intake: Feb, Jul, Sep | Online delivery
Course Overview

This course provides a basic understanding of the current philosophies and practices relevant to including and serving prior to school and school students with diverse abilities within the regular classroom.

This unit will equip Initial Teacher Education students with the skills, understandings, and attitudinal base to encourage effective learning for all children – irrespective of their ability or needs. The unit emphasises the provision of opportunities to develop strategies that have high utility in classrooms, thus enabling all students to access the curriculum. National and State policies and practices supporting inclusion will be examined, as will the nature and place of support services within the class, school, prior to school settings and community.

Teaching Method

Learning occurs through prescribed reading and research, class discussions and activities, case study analysis, project work, written work and research. This unit may include online presentation using a range of content-based and interactive learning materials, objects and strategies. The unit is supported at every offering by access to an online lecturer and to the resources and student support services of the College.

Formal assessment is a mandatory part of this course. In order to successfully complete the course, you must pass all assessments and ensure you adhere to the relevant due dates. Details of the specific assessment requirements can be found by contacting the school of Education.

Assessment and Reporting EDSF508

Course fee: $2,104 | Course length: 12 weeks | Intake: Feb, Jul, Sep | Online delivery
Course Overview

This course examines the nature, purposes, scope and strategies of assessment and reporting. Modes of assessing and reporting are presented and evaluated with respect to their coherence with a student-centred philosophy of teaching and learning.

Issues relating to validity, reliability and equity are explored, including the increasing use of ICT, the role of judgement in relation to standards, and using assessment to support indigenous education. Teacher education students will explore the use of standardised and other testing modes undertaken by the NSW Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards (BOSTES) the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO), the Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority (ACARA), and the Program of International Student Assessment (PISA).

Teaching Method

Learning occurs through prescribed reading and research, class discussions and activities, case study analysis, project work, written work and research. This unit may include online presentation using a range of content-based and interactive learning materials, objects and strategies. The unit is supported at every offering by access to an online lecturer and to the resources and student support services of the College.

Formal assessment is a mandatory part of this course. In order to successfully complete the course, you must pass all assessments and ensure you adhere to the relevant due dates. Details of the specific assessment requirements can be found by contacting the school of Education.