Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2026 - EDUC 830 G031

Implementation of Educational Programs (5)

Class Number: 1799

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Location: TBA

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:

The course begins with an exploration of theory and practice of educational change in order to identify the story of education change. Course readings will serve to both highlight and problematize key principles and practices informing educational change and program implementation from multiple perspectives. We will actively work to both understand and challenge the dominant educational change story. Focusing on the implementation of nature-based / ecological pedagogies, students will identify the complex nature of change and imaginatively chart a way forward.

Meeting Dates:
May 1/2, 22/23
Jun 5/6
Jul 3/4, 10/11, and 17/18

Meeting Times:
Fridays: 4:45 - 8:30 pm
Saturdays: 9:00 - 3:00 pm

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Students will

  • articulate dominant understandings of factors that help and hinder meaningful educational change;
  • demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the complex nature of implementing educational ideas in theory and in practice;
  • explore and apply Indigenous perspectives to the theoretical and practical dimensions of educational change;
  • employ IE practices to imaginatively engage peers in learning;
  • critically explore and clearly express their personal experiences with change;
  • identify barriers and opportunities for educational change at different organizational levels;
  • identify and critically and creatively address challenges currently faced in BC schools in relation to implementing nature-based ecological pedagogies.

Grading

  • Engaging With/in Human and More-Than-Human Communities 25%
  • IE Teaching: Scholarly Article Deep Dive OR Text Chapter 25%
  • Critical Reflection/Scholarly Paper: Situating Your Experience of Change 30%
  • Report to the Ministry: Mapping Paths Forward 20%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Blenkinsop, S., & Kuchta, E. (2024). Ecologizing education: nature-centered teaching for cultural change. Comstock Publishing Associates. 

**Freely available through SFU library

**Read full text by beginning of July


ISBN: 9781501774713

+ additional articles/texts to be assigned in first class

RECOMMENDED READING:

Additional and recommended readings will be introduced in first class.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.