TEAC 4004 Leadership, Research and Practice

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au.

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 102687

Coordinator Kerry Staples Opens in new window

Description This subject explores the complexity of leadership in the early childhood context. Students will analyse leadership theories and consider how the leadership role can and does influence the quality of practitioners’ practices and Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) service provision. Students will reflect on their professional identity, values, experiences, knowledge and practices to develop a personal perspective of how effective leadership is enacted to lead staff teams, partner with families and strengthen relationships with the local community. A critical analysis of how leadership influences pedagogy, relationships, collaboration, and change will provide a basis for developing a professional portfolio.

School Education

Discipline Teacher Education: Early Childhood

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 4 subject

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in 1926 Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) and have completed 240 credit points to enrol in this subject.  

Learning Outcomes

  1. Evaluate leadership theories and their application in the ECEC context.
  2. Analyse a range of effective leadership strategies, processes and skills that are enacted to lead in the ECEC setting.
  3. Analyse the complexity and diversity of the leadership roles including activism, advocacy and capacity building in ECEC and the wider community.
  4. Examine how leadership styles and characteristics influence quality ECEC service provision. 
  5. Apply Action Research to improve professional practice.
  6. Create a digital professional portfolio that reflects individual professional identity and leadership style and demonstrates capacity to meet the Australian Professional Teaching standards.

Subject Content

  1. Leadership theory
  2. Leadership styles and characteristics
  3. Leadership in ECEC - complexity, diversity and professional identity
  4. Influencing quality, relationships, pedagogy and change
  5. Reflecting on professional identity and leadership
  6. Action Research to improve professional practice
  7. Developing and refining a professional portfolio

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Type Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Case Study 1000 words 20 N Individual
Applied Project 1500 words 30 N Individual
Portfolio Approx. 10 web pages 50 Y Individual

Prescribed Texts

  • Waniganayake, M., Cheeseman, S., Fenech, M., Hadley, F., & Shepherd,W. (2017). Leadership: Contexts and complexities in early childhood education. Oxford University Press.

Teaching Periods

Structures that include subject