Unit rationale, description and aim
Contemporary approaches to formation and leadership recognise that leaders have changing needs over time. Changing contexts require changing practices: a change of role, a change of school, a need for renewal after many years in a leadership role.
In this unit students will consider how their personal renewal and sustainability is enhanced through a range of theories, theologies, spiritual practices, and contemporary research in health and well-being.
It aims to nurture spirituality of the leader as an application of one’s Spirit to the circumstances and relationships of life and living as it changes over time. It aims to promote understanding, affect and behaviours that reflect the fullness of Christian life within self, relationships, professional practice, and communal participation.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Examine the relationship between spirituality and ...
Learning Outcome 01
'EDLE653 - Integrating Capabilities for Renewal and Sustainability in Leadership - Graduate Capabilities v2 - '
Critique how contemporary cultures, including Firs...
Learning Outcome 02
'EDLE653 - Integrating Capabilities for Renewal and Sustainability in Leadership - Graduate Capabilities v2 - '
Critically reflect on how the mission of Jesus inf...
Learning Outcome 03
'EDLE653 - Integrating Capabilities for Renewal and Sustainability in Leadership - Graduate Capabilities v2 - '
Reflectively examine how educational leaders engag...
Learning Outcome 04
'EDLE653 - Integrating Capabilities for Renewal and Sustainability in Leadership - Graduate Capabilities v2 - '
Critically explore how spirituality supports perso...
Learning Outcome 05
'EDLE653 - Integrating Capabilities for Renewal and Sustainability in Leadership - Graduate Capabilities v2 - '
Content
Topics will include:
- Exploring the nature of formation and renewal
- The relationship of spirituality with and within religion
- Spirituality in an Australian context, respecting First Peoples’ contributions
- The Mission of Jesus: Foundation of spirituality and leadership
- Integral spirituality and ecology
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment tasks for this unit are designed for students to demonstrate achievement of each learning outcome. Assessment tasks build on each other through a developmental and applied approach and provide students with the opportunity to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes, professional standards, and criteria consistent with University assessment requirements.
The assessment strategy moves from conceptual and theoretical work through to the practical application of the learning undertaken in the unit. Assessment 1 provides the opportunity for students to locate and critically review key concepts and frameworks for personal formation and spiritual development. Assessment 2 develops this further into an analysis of these concepts as they relate to professional practice. Students will design a plan to enhance spiritual formation and practice within their educational community. In order to pass this unit, students are required to successfully complete both assessment tasks regardless of their mode of enrolment.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1: Reflective Essay Drawing from...
Assessment Task 1: Reflective Essay
Drawing from concepts and scholarly literature explored in this unit, and your own formation experience, explain how your understanding of spirituality influences your educational leadership practice.
50%
Assessment Task 2: Develop a Plan Based on your ...
Assessment Task 2: Develop a Plan
Based on your insights about spiritual renewal and development from Assessment 1, develop a school (or other educational site) plan for how to enhance the spiritual development of a specific group within your school (e.g., your team, the wider staff, parents and caregivers, students). You should also include details about how the renewal of your own leadership practices contributes to the plan.
50%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit may be offered in online, on campus or multi-mode for the equivalence of 150 hours of study. Students are introduced to theoretical and theological concepts through lectures, readings, and other online resources (e.g., blogs, podcasts, social media). This grounds and scopes the development of critical reflection through discussion forums (online tutorials and LMS forums) that enable students to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the concepts and their application in educational settings. Linking these to appropriate professional standards requires students to evaluate their educational leadership practice within their own unique context. Continuous use of reflective writing practice underpins the learning across the unit.
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers - Lead
In connection to the learning outcomes, on successful completion of this unit, students should have developed the following industry specific knowledge based on the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers - Lead standards:
Australian Professional Standard For Principals - Professional Practice
In connection to the learning outcomes, on successful completion of this unit, students should have developed the following industry specific knowledge based on the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers - Professional Practice standards: