This course will include: an overview of organizational theories and systems; the inclusion of organizational theory in the educational change process; the functions, objectives, development, and assessment of strategic plans; and the relationship between strategic planning and budget development.
Managing people and their behavior is one of the most challenging tasks anyone has to face. Even more difficult is moving the organization and people so that students benefit in reality. The primary goal of this course is for students to learn to view organizations through the lens of organizational theory, especially systems thinking. Students will examine organizations (especially their own) to identify strengths and weaknesses. Students will develop perspectives and skills for managing organizational behavior.
Course objectives are aligned with the PSEL (Professional Standards for Educational Leaders 2015) and with the NETS-A (National Education Technology Standards – Administrators) Standards 1-5, A-E.
Students will:
Threaded Discussion
Post a response to a question or problem presented in the weekly whole class or small group threaded discussion forum. This initial post must be completed by the end of the day on Wednesday. The initial post must include at least one in-text citation and reference in APA format. Replies must be submitted by the end of the day on Sundays of each week.
Strategic Plan with Issues Analysis
Too often people tend to describe the symptoms of a problem rather than the problem itself. For Part I of the Strategic Plan, students will identify a problem that is real to their classrooms, schools and/or districts. Students will present evidence (data) of the existence of the problem, and will analyze the problem using at least three of the five disciplines presented in the class text.
SWOT Analysis
SWOT is an acronym that stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. A SWOT analysis is an organized list of an organization’s greatest strengths (S), weaknesses (W), opportunities (O), and threats (T). Doing a SWOT analysis can enable an organization to develop effective strategies to resolve problems and, at the same time, recognize the strengths inherent to the organization as well. For this assignment, students will complete a SWOT analysis related to the problem identified in their Strategic Plan with Issues Analysis assignment.
SMART Goals
SMART, most commonly defined as Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound, is an acronym that defines criteria for goal-setting. It is a useful tool that individuals or organizations can use to create realistic and achievable goals. Using the SMART criteria, students will develop three goals in order to address the problem that they identified in their Strategic Plan.
Estimated Cost Worksheet
For this assignment students will create an “Estimated Cost Worksheet” that addresses each of their stated SMART goals and the anticipated initiatives that support each goal. The items, resources and expenditures needed for each initiative will be listed and an estimated cost for each will be included on the worksheet.
Strategic Plan
This final assignment is a compilation of the work completed in Weeks 3, 6 and 7, resulting in a comprehensive “Strategic Plan.” Students will include their Issues Analysis, SWOT analysis, SMART goals and their Estimated Cost Worksheet.
**The University of New England provides students, staff and faculty with free access to RefWorks, a fantastic tool for collecting and managing references and making style-correct citations. Access the tool through the link on the left navigation bar. For instructions and tutorials in setting up your account and getting started, visit http://success.une.edu/blackboard-support/refworks/.
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Assignments | 100 Total Points |
---|---|
8 Discussion Boards (2.5 pts. each) | 20 points |
Strategic Plan with Issues Analysis | 25 points |
SWOT Analysis | 15 points |
SMART Goals and Cost Worksheet | 25 points |
Strategic Plan | 15 points |
Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
This is only a tentative schedule and is meant to give you a bird’s eye view. The activities and assignments may change at the discretion of the instructor.
Week |
Topic |
Activities & Assignments |
Dates |
1 1/3 – 1/7 |
Systems approach as applied to human and organizational behavior |
Read Chapters 1, 2, 7 and online readings; Discussion posts |
Due: 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, 1/7 *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by FRIDAY night |
2 1/8 – 1/14 |
Systems thinking and visioning processes |
Read Chapters 8,9, and 10; Video; Discussion posts |
Due: 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, 1/14 *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night |
3 1/15 – 1/21 |
Connections between organizations and their challenges |
Read Chapters 11 and 12; Read article; Video; Discussion posts; Strategic Plan with Issues Analysis |
Due: 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, 1/21 *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night
|
4 1/22 – 1/28 |
The Senge principles about organizations |
Reach Chapters 3-6 and online readings; Videos; Discussion posts |
Due: 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, 1/28 *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night |
5 1/29 – 2/4 |
School structures and systems |
Read Chapters 13 and 14; online reading; Video; Discussion posts |
Due: 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, 2/4 *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night |
6 2/5 – 2/11 |
Organizational Change; the Strategic Plan |
Read Chapter 16 and online readings; SWOT Analysis |
Due: 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, 2/11 |
7 2/12 – 2/18 |
Application of Senge’s theory |
Discussion posts; SMART Goals and Estimated Cost Worksheet |
Due: 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, 2/18 *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night |
8 2/19 – 2/25 |
Course reflection |
Final Discussion posts; Strategic Plan |
Submit your Strategic Plan by 11:59 PM ET on Thursday, 2/22 Complete all Discussion work by 11:59 PM ET on Friday, 2/23 *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night
|
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