JOHTO+ Pedagogical leadership (5cr)

Objective

The purpose of this course is to provide you with perspectives and competence in pedagogical leadership in vocational and higher education. After completing the course, you will be able to assess and develop your own leadership competence, including self-leadership, peer leadership, and the leadership competence required of a teacher. You will master the key areas of pedagogical leadership and know how to apply them in the development of your own work and organisation. You will understand the significance of relational leadership and be able to strengthen interaction, trust, and collaboration. In addition, you will be able to promote both your own and your community’s agency and create conditions for a learning-oriented, participatory, and development-friendly organisational culture. You will also develop your capacity to lead learning, competence, and collaboration in changing and diverse vocational education environments.

In this course, the following competences will be developed and assessed:

Pedagogical well-being competence
The course highlights the promotion of agency and the creation of a learning and inclusive organisational culture, which is closely linked to supporting well-being. Through pedagogical leadership, it is possible to create a safe, encouraging, and collaborative environment that supports both individual and collective learning and development.

Collaboration and networking competence
Pedagogical leadership is built on interaction, trust, and collaboration. The course emphasises relational leadership, strengthening agency in the work community, and utilising networks in organisational development. The ability to identify and build purposeful networks is a key area of competence.

Content

The course consists of four areas:
- Identifying and developing your own leadership competence
- Key areas of pedagogical leadership
- Relational leadership and networks
- Strengthening the agency of the work community

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

- You are able to identify and analyse your own leadership competence, assess your strengths and areas for development, and plan personal steps for improvement.
- You critically evaluate your time management, prioritisation, and recovery practices, and commit to the long-term development of your leadership competence and the continuous practice of self-reflection.
- You recognise the different areas of pedagogical leadership and can apply them in the planning and implementation of teaching, guidance, and learning processes.
- You assess and develop pedagogical practices to ensure objectives and quality, and you understand the importance of collaboration in engaging staff and networks to support students’ learning.
- You identify the principles of relational leadership and apply them in interaction situations, promote trust and inclusion, and act consistently to strengthen an open and constructive work community.
- You know how to evaluate and enhance the agency of a work community, facilitate shared processes, and promote the emergence of a learning-oriented, experimental, and development-friendly organisational culture.