,HED4812 Final Reflective Journal Exit Assessment
(COMPLETE ANSWERS) 2024 - DUE 7 January 2025;
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ANSWERS ARE GIVEN TWICE FOR BETTER
UNDERSTANDING
1.Reflective Journal Entry 1. Depth of Reflection (30 marks)
Reflect deeply on your journey throughout this module. How
has your understanding of educational leadership and
management evolved? Discuss any significant insights or shifts
in perspective you have experienced.
Reflective Journal Entry 1: Depth of Reflection on Educational
Leadership and Management
Throughout this module, my understanding of educational
leadership and management has evolved in profound ways,
marking a significant shift in both my theoretical knowledge and
practical perspectives. Initially, I approached educational
leadership with a relatively narrow view—seeing it primarily as
the role of a headteacher or principal in managing day-to-day
operations and making key decisions within a school setting.
However, as the course has progressed, I have come to
understand that educational leadership and management are
much more dynamic and multifaceted, encompassing a wide
range of roles, responsibilities, and complexities that influence
both individual schools and broader educational systems.
,Shifting Perspectives on Leadership
One of the most significant insights I gained was the shift from
viewing leadership as a top-down, hierarchical role to
understanding it as a more distributed, collaborative, and
inclusive process. Initially, I had a somewhat traditional view of
leadership, where the leader was seen as the central decision-
maker, directing the organization and managing people.
However, the module introduced me to various leadership
models, such as transformational leadership, distributed
leadership, and instructional leadership, which emphasize
shared responsibility and collaboration among staff, students,
and the community. I now recognize that leadership is not
about individual power or authority but about fostering a
culture of growth, trust, and collective accountability.
This change in perspective was particularly significant for me
when we explored the concept of "distributed leadership." I
had never fully grasped the idea that leadership can be shared
across various levels of an organization, with different
individuals taking on leadership roles based on their expertise
and the specific context. This approach not only promotes a
more democratic decision-making process but also enhances
the capacity of the organization as a whole to adapt and
respond to challenges. It made me reflect on how effective
schools empower teachers and staff to take leadership in their
areas of strength, creating a more vibrant, responsive, and
resilient educational community.
, Insights into Educational Management
The concept of educational management also became clearer
and more nuanced as the module progressed. Initially, I
associated educational management primarily with
organizational structure, budgeting, and resource allocation.
While these elements are certainly important, I now appreciate
that educational management is also deeply connected to
creating systems and processes that promote an effective
learning environment. This includes fostering professional
development, managing curriculum implementation, and
ensuring that policies are aligned with the needs of both
students and educators.
One key takeaway was the importance of strategic planning and
decision-making. In particular, I found the emphasis on data-
driven decision-making to be both enlightening and practical.
Understanding how to use data not just for assessing student
performance but for shaping school policies, identifying areas
of improvement, and setting long-term goals was a major shift
for me. I now see how critical it is for educational leaders to use
evidence to inform their decisions, ensuring that strategies are
based on actual needs and outcomes, rather than assumptions
or tradition.
Additionally, I have gained a deeper understanding of the
importance of managing change in educational settings. The
module covered the theory and practice of change
management, and I found it fascinating to explore how