Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Problems and practices associated with innovation and implementation including the nature of change in the educational context, the roles of teachers, administrators, change agents, and evaluators.

COURSE DETAILS:

Meeting Dates:
May 3/4 
May 24/25
June 7/8 
June 21/22
July 5/6 (if necessary)
July 19/20
Times:
Friday: 4:30-9:00
Saturday: 8:30-4:30
Location: Vancouver Community College (BWY Campus)
Room: B 1208  Note: May 25: A 3010
Campus Map for May 25, see Building A Level 3: https://www.vcc.ca/media/vancouver-community-college/content-assets/documents/contact-us/WEB-CampusMaps-BWY-APR_2016.pdf

COURSE RATIONALE:
Why do some programs and initiatives fail while others blossom and succeed? Why do some program initiatives encounter conflict and resistance while others are warmly embraced and passionately supported? Why is it that changes and new innovations are frequently met with resistance? What organizational skills, approaches and techniques do program coordinators, facilitators and change agents utilize to successfully implement a program? What activities and tasks do we need to address in order to build and sustain program capacity? What role does assessment and evaluation play in the successful implementation of a program? What role does negotiation play in the implementation of programs?

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Planning lays the foundation for effective program implementation. The three principle planning processes (traditional; pragmatic, radical) that guide program implementation will be explored. These processes not only influence the program’s overall design but heavily influence what changes are embraced by leaders and program participants. The Interactive Model of Program Planning will be used as an organizational framework in order to gain a deeper appreciation of programming practices. In doing so, this course will highlight critically important components as well as challenges, problems, issues and best practices associated with the implementation of educational programs in post-secondary institutional environments.

If planning helps lay the foundation for the effective implementation of programs, then the leader acts as the critically important catalyst that facilitates change initiatives. Program implementation entails not only acting as a change agent but also involves having the ability to negotiate organizational socio-cultural contexts as well as establish structural mechanisms (e.g. mission, goals, policies), dealing with power dynamics, organizational politics, people management, and making ethical decisions.

COURSE FORMAT:
This course is designed to foster reflection, critical thinking, collaborative learning, inquiry and active participation. Class sessions will involve small and large group discussions as well as informal and formal presentations. Several guest speakers will be visiting us to share real-life insights, each reflecting the three principle planning processes, regarding various challenges and successes that can occur when implementing programs.

Grading

Materials

REQUIRED READING: