The course is connected to the following study programs

  • Master's programme in Special Needs Education

Teaching language

Norwegian

Prerequisites

PED424 and PED425

Course contents

During this course, the student will acquire knowledge about special needs innovation work where the theory of implementation is emphasised. The aim is to make them capable of implementing planned changes and lead special needs institutions. The teaching will also focus on various theoretical perspectives related to the management of work with special needs and where transformation management is central. Emphasis will also be placed on understanding the challenges related to management in the light of various scientific, professional and ethical problems. Themes like the development of collective learning in pedagogical institutions, development of themes, and the learning organisation, will be central. The aim is to show how effective and goal-oriented management can improve existing practice within special needs and provide a foundation for practical management both on individual and institutional levels. A specific theme in this course is communication and dialogue in various forms and contexts, used as an innovative tool to create well-functioning and effective work situations where the aim is to facilitate good practice for special needs.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the students shall

  • Be able to analyse the pedagogical and social role of schools and pre-schools

  • Have in-depth knowledge about schools and pre-schools as organisations and the Norwegian educational system

  • Be able to apply and critically relate to various theoretical approaches to innovation and management

  • Be able to solve central management problems on both individual and institutional levels

  • Be able to work innovatively

  • Have knowledge about dialogue and communication and have the ability to analyse individually various forms of communication within an organisation

  • Be able to analyse relevant professional and ethical problems related to the management of special needs institutions

  • Be able to justify, initiate and implement in practice innovative work within the field of special needs

  • Be able to apply relevant expertise knowledge from the master’s programme in the form of theories, method or terminology to implement, develop or assess work tasks during the practice

  • Be able to reflect upon the relation between theory and practice with personal experiences from the practice period as the starting point

Teaching methods

Lectures, seminars, discussions and group work.

The workload is estimated at approximately 400 hours.

The students will have 10 days of supervised practice. Contents and instructions for the practice period and the practice report will be described in a separate pamphlet.

Evaluation

The study programme manager, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1. Information about evaluation method for the course will be posted on Canvas.

Assessment methods and criteria

5-day individual home examination. 4000 words +/- 10%

Graded assessment

Reduction of Credits

This course’s contents overlap with the following courses. A reduction of credits will occur if one of these courses is taken in addition:

Course Reduction of Credits
PED515 – Educational Policy and Knowledge Management 5
PED526 – Teachers as leaders of instruction and development processes 5
PED949 – Educational Development in Schools 5
PED950 – Organization, Learning and Evaluation in Schools 5
Last updated from FS (Common Student System) July 1, 2024 1:38:53 AM