Тематический план

  • Общее

    • Welcome speech Форум
      Hello everyone!
      I am delighted to welcome you to this module, Management in Education. It is a privilege to be your guide as we explore the principles, practices, and challenges of educational leadership and management in contemporary contexts.

      Education today is dynamic, complex, and evolving rapidly. As future leaders, you will face diverse challenges—from leading teams and managing resources to navigating change and fostering innovation. This module is designed to give you both the theoretical foundations and practical tools to understand and manage educational organizations effectively.

      Throughout our sessions, we will explore topics such as decision-making, staff management, team-building, curriculum adaptation, conflict resolution, and leadership models. We will also focus on twenty-first century skills, including the use of educational technologies, reflective practice, and evidence-informed strategies for improving learning outcomes.

      Our approach will be interactive and applied: you will engage in discussions, case studies, role-plays, and reflective activities that connect theory to real-world educational contexts. My goal is not only to provide knowledge but also to support you in developing your own competence, confidence, and vision as effective educational leaders.

      I encourage each of you to participate actively, share your experiences, and challenge ideas constructively. Together, we will create a learning environment that is collaborative, supportive, and inspiring.

      Once again, welcome to the module. I look forward to working with you and exploring the exciting world of educational management together.

      Warm regards,
      Dr. Gulzhaina K. Kassymova
      Module Tutor
      Abai University

  • Week 1. Introduction to Management in education

    • Lecture 1 Файл

      This first lecture provides a foundational overview of what management means within educational settings and why it is essential for the effective functioning of schools, colleges, and universities. Students will be introduced to the key concepts, purposes, and domains of educational management, including leadership, organizational structure, strategic planning, and decision-making.

      The session explores how educational institutions operate as complex systems and how managers balance pedagogical goals with administrative responsibilities. We will discuss the evolving role of educational leaders in the context of global change, digital transformation, and increasing expectations for quality, accountability, and inclusivity.

      By the end of Lecture 1, students will understand the scope of the module, the main questions that guide the study of management in education, and the theoretical foundations that will be developed throughout the course. This introductory session sets the stage for deeper exploration of leadership models, governance, resource management, and the role of ethics in educational decision-making.


  • Week 2. Taking and Implementing Decisions in Educational Management

    • Lecture 2 Файл

      This lecture focuses on the processes, principles, and challenges of decision-making in educational organizations. Students will explore how effective decisions are formulated, evaluated, and implemented in schools, universities, and other learning environments. The session introduces key models of decision-making, rational, strategic, participatory, and evidence-based, and examines how leaders choose appropriate approaches depending on context, resources, and institutional goals.

      We will discuss the importance of data-informed judgment, stakeholder engagement, and ethical responsibility in shaping decisions that impact teaching, learning, and organizational performance. Practical examples and case studies will illustrate how educational managers address common dilemmas such as resource allocation, staff management, curriculum changes, and crisis situations.

      The lecture also highlights the implementation phase: communicating decisions, managing resistance, ensuring accountability, and monitoring outcomes. Students will gain insight into how effective leaders balance authority and collaboration, and how they adapt decisions in response to feedback and changing circumstances.

      By the end of the session, learners will understand the full cycle of decision-making in education, from problem identification to evaluating impact, and will be able to apply decision-making frameworks to real-world scenarios.

  • Week 3. Managing Meetings

    • Lecture 3 Файл

      This lecture introduces students to the principles and practices of organizing and leading effective meetings within educational institutions. Meetings are a central part of professional life for teachers, administrators, and leaders, and their quality directly influences communication, decision-making, teamwork, and organizational culture.

      During this session, students will explore the essential components of successful meeting management, including planning the agenda, setting clear objectives, selecting participants, and choosing appropriate formats—whether face-to-face, online, or hybrid. We will discuss strategies for facilitating productive discussions, encouraging participation, managing conflict, and ensuring that diverse voices are heard.

      The lecture also emphasizes the importance of time management, documentation, and follow-up procedures. Students will learn how to assign responsibilities, track action points, and evaluate the effectiveness of meetings in achieving institutional goals. Real examples from educational contexts will illustrate common challenges such as unfocused agendas, unengaged participants, and inefficient communication.

      By the end of this lecture, learners will understand how well-managed meetings can enhance collegiality, support decision-making, and strengthen leadership practices. They will be equipped with practical tools to plan, conduct, and follow up on meetings that create value for their educational organizations.


  • Week 4. Recruiting, Employing, Appraising, Developing and Dismissing Staff

    • Lecture 4 Файл

      This lecture examines the full cycle of human resource management in educational institutions, focusing on the critical role that effective staff management plays in educational quality, organizational culture, and student outcomes. Educational leaders must navigate a wide range of responsibilities related to attracting, selecting, supporting, evaluating, and, when necessary, releasing staff in a fair and lawful manner.

      Students will explore evidence-based strategies for recruiting and selecting qualified staff, including job analysis, advertising, interviewing, and competency-based assessment. The lecture highlights the importance of equitable hiring practices and building inclusive, diverse teams.

      We will also discuss the processes and policies surrounding staff employment, including induction, role clarity, professional expectations, and legal frameworks. Emphasis is placed on performance appraisal methods—both formative and summative—and how they support professional growth, accountability, and continuous improvement.

      The session further addresses staff development, focusing on mentoring, coaching, continuing professional development (CPD), and creating supportive environments that encourage innovation and reflective practice. Finally, we will examine the sensitive and legally regulated area of staff dismissal, including procedures, documentation, ethical considerations, and strategies for minimizing conflict.

      By the end of this lecture, students will understand the full HRM cycle in education and will be able to critically evaluate how effective staff management contributes to the overall performance, well-being, and sustainability of educational institutions.


  • Week 5. Managing Conflict

    • Lecture 5 Файл

      This lecture focuses on understanding, addressing, and transforming conflict within educational settings. Conflict is a natural part of organizational life, especially in environments where diverse people, perspectives, and interests intersect. Effective educational leaders must be able to recognize sources of conflict early, respond constructively, and foster a culture of open communication and mutual respect.

      In this session, students will examine common types and causes of conflict in schools, colleges, and universities—such as interpersonal misunderstandings, role ambiguity, resource limitations, workload pressures, and resistance to change. We will explore major conflict management styles and frameworks, including avoidance, accommodation, competition, compromise, and collaboration, and discuss when each style may be appropriate.

      The lecture highlights practical strategies for resolving conflicts, including negotiation, mediation, active listening, emotional intelligence, and the use of evidence-based communication techniques. Special attention will be given to managing conflict in teams, addressing student–staff tensions, and navigating cultural and professional differences.

      We will also consider the role of policies, procedures, and ethical leadership in preventing escalation and ensuring fairness. Case studies will illustrate how conflicts can be transformed into opportunities for growth, innovation, and improved relationships.

      By the end of the lecture, students will understand how to approach conflict with confidence, empathy, and strategic thinking, and will be equipped with practical tools to create positive, constructive, and collaborative working environments.


  • Week 6. Managing Yourself

    • Lecture 6 Файл

      This lecture explores the foundational principle that effective educational leadership begins with self-management. Before leaders can inspire, guide, or support others, they must understand their own values, motivations, strengths, and areas for growth. Managing oneself is essential for maintaining professional effectiveness, emotional balance, and ethical leadership in today’s demanding educational environments.

      In this session, students will examine key aspects of self-management, including time management, prioritization, stress regulation, emotional intelligence, and reflective practice. We will discuss how personal habits, self-awareness, and professional identity shape leadership behaviour and influence interactions with colleagues, students, and stakeholders.

      The lecture introduces practical tools such as goal-setting frameworks, reflective journals, productivity techniques, and boundary-setting strategies. Students will explore how to manage competing demands, maintain well-being, and build resilience—critical skills for navigating the pressures of educational work, including heavy workloads, difficult conversations, and rapid organizational change.

      We will also consider the role of ethical self-leadership: aligning actions with professional values, maintaining integrity, and cultivating mindful awareness in decision-making. Case examples will illustrate how strong self-management enhances credibility, communication, and the ability to lead others effectively.

      By the end of this lecture, students will understand how self-management forms the foundation for leadership success and will be equipped with strategies to manage their time, emotions, and professional responsibilities with confidence and clarity.


  • Week 7. Developing your own Competence

    • Lecture 7 Файл

      This lecture focuses on the continuous, lifelong process of developing professional competence as an educator and leader. In modern educational environments—characterized by rapid change, rising expectations, and increasing complexity—leaders must actively cultivate new skills, expand their knowledge base, and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional growth.

      In this session, students will explore the concept of competence from multiple perspectives: pedagogical, managerial, ethical, interpersonal, and digital. We will examine key frameworks for professional competence in education, including national and international standards, leadership competency models, and reflective self-assessment tools. The lecture highlights the importance of aligning personal development with institutional goals, professional values, and emerging trends in education.

      Students will also learn practical strategies for developing competence, such as engaging in continuous professional development (CPD), seeking mentorship and peer feedback, participating in professional networks, attending conferences and workshops, and integrating evidence-based practices into daily work. Emphasis will be placed on reflective practice, growth mindset, and the use of portfolios to document learning and track progression.

      The lecture addresses how competence evolves throughout a leader’s career and how educators can identify skill gaps, set meaningful development goals, and create personal learning plans. Case examples will illustrate how competent leadership directly contributes to school improvement, teacher motivation, and student success.

      By the end of this lecture, students will understand how to take ownership of their professional growth and will be equipped with tools and strategies for building competence that is sustainable, ethical, and responsive to the changing demands of educational practice.


  • Week 8. Organizations

    • Lecture 8 Файл

      This lecture introduces students to the fundamental concept of organizations and examines how educational institutions function as complex, dynamic, and interconnected systems. Understanding what organizations are—and how they behave—is essential for effective leadership and management in education.

      During this session, students will explore major organizational theories and perspectives, including structural, human relations, cultural, political, and systems approaches. We will discuss how schools, colleges, and universities develop their missions, values, policies, and internal structures, and how these shape everyday practice.

      The lecture examines the key features of educational organizations, such as hierarchy, roles, communication patterns, decision-making processes, and accountability mechanisms. Students will learn how formal structures interact with informal networks, traditions, and organizational culture. Special attention will be given to how organizational environments—political, social, economic, and technological—affect the work of educational leaders.

      Real examples and case studies will illustrate common organizational challenges, such as managing change, navigating competing interests, balancing autonomy and control, and fostering a healthy workplace culture.

      By the end of this lecture, students will understand how educational organizations operate, what influences their behaviour, and how leaders can work strategically within these systems to improve teaching, learning, and institutional outcomes.


  • Week 9. The nature of teams and Team-building; School leadership models

    • Lecture 9 Файл

      This lecture explores two interconnected pillars of effective educational management: teamwork and leadership. Students will examine how teams function within educational organizations, what makes them effective, and how different leadership models influence team performance and school improvement.

      Part 1: The Nature of Teams and Team-Building

      In the first part of the session, students will analyze the characteristics of successful teams in educational settings, including shared goals, trust, clear roles, open communication, and collaborative problem-solving. We will discuss different types of teams—teaching teams, cross-functional committees, curriculum groups, and project teams—and review key models such as Tuckman’s stages of team development (forming, storming, norming, performing).

      Strategies for effective team-building will be introduced, including role clarification, fostering psychological safety, conflict management, and building a culture of collaboration. Practical examples from schools and universities will illustrate how teams contribute to innovation, curriculum development, and student support.

      Part 2: School Leadership Models

      The second part of the lecture focuses on major school leadership models and how they shape organizational culture and team dynamics. Students will explore models such as instructional leadership, transformational leadership, distributed leadership, servant leadership, and systems leadership. Each model will be analyzed in terms of its core principles, strengths, and limitations.

      We will examine how leadership styles influence teacher motivation, decision-making, professional learning communities, and overall school performance. Case studies will highlight how effective leaders use appropriate leadership approaches to empower teams, support change, and cultivate a shared vision.

      By the end of the lecture, students will:

      • Understand how teams operate and why teamwork is essential in education
      • Recognize the stages and dynamics of team development
      • Identify strategies for building effective, collaborative teams
      • Compare major school leadership models and understand their impact on practice
      • Be able to link leadership approaches with team-building and school improvement

       

  • Week 10. Managing and Adapting the Curriculum

    • Lecture 10 Файл

      This lecture focuses on the role of educational leaders in designing, managing, and adapting curricula to meet the needs of learners, staff, and the broader community. The curriculum is central to the educational mission, and effective management ensures it remains relevant, inclusive, and responsive to changing societal, technological, and policy contexts.

      Students will explore the principles of curriculum management, including planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement. We will examine how curriculum decisions are influenced by national standards, institutional goals, student needs, teacher expertise, and emerging trends in education.

      The lecture also addresses curriculum adaptation, highlighting strategies for differentiating content, integrating inclusive practices, incorporating digital technologies, and responding to diverse learner profiles. Case studies and examples from schools and higher education institutions will illustrate how leaders balance innovation with compliance, standardization with flexibility, and vision with practical constraints.

      By the end of the lecture, students will understand the processes, challenges, and strategies involved in managing and adapting curricula. They will be able to critically evaluate curriculum design and implementation decisions and apply practical tools to ensure curricula support high-quality teaching and learning outcomes.


  • Week 11. Educational technologies and twenty-first century leadership for learning

    • Lecture 11 Файл

      This lecture examines how contemporary educational technologies intersect with leadership practices to shape teaching, learning, and organizational development in the twenty-first century. Leaders in education are no longer only administrators; they are innovators who guide schools and institutions in integrating technology to enhance learning outcomes, professional collaboration, and organizational effectiveness.

      Students will explore key digital tools and platforms for teaching, learning, assessment, and school management. We will discuss how technology supports personalized learning, data-informed decision-making, communication, and professional development. The session emphasizes the role of leaders in creating a culture that embraces digital innovation while maintaining equity, accessibility, and ethical use of technology.

      The lecture also introduces contemporary leadership models suited to the digital age, including transformational, distributed, and instructional technology leadership. Students will examine how effective leaders inspire and support staff in adapting to technological change, foster collaborative digital communities, and strategically plan for sustainable integration of innovations.

      By the end of this lecture, students will be able to:

      • Understand the impact of educational technologies on teaching, learning, and school management

      • Evaluate the role of leadership in promoting digital innovation and organizational learning

      • Identify strategies to implement technology effectively while ensuring equity and inclusivity

      • Connect twenty-first century leadership principles with practical approaches to learning and development in educational settings