Implementation of an International Master’s Degree Programme in Educational Leadership in a Learning Environment of Care and Challenge Presentation in 6th UNIQUAL conference Trondheim, June 15, 2009 by Lea Sandholm Institute of Educational Leadership University of Jyväskylä, Finland Presentation in 6th UNIQUAL conference Trondheim, June 15, 2009 by Lea Sandholm Institute of Educational Leadership University of Jyväskylä, Finland

Basis of presentation Ethnographic research conducted about this international Master’s Degree Programme in Educational Leadership Since August 2007 Focus on the 1st cohort, comparative data acquired from 2nd cohort Data gathering by participant observation, interviews, surveys Report to be published in late 2009

Contents of presentation Foundations of the programme Basis of the pedagogy in the programme Implementing the promise made to the customers Combining challenging goals with support of study Responsiveness to learners’ needs Conclusions

Foudations of the programme Critical mass of education provision in the University of Jyväskylä (75 years in 2009) in Finland developed since 1863 Internationalization as one major objective of university strategy Foundation of Institute of Educational Leadership in 1999, and its strategic development with cumulative leadership and national and international networks

Basis of the pedagogy of the programme Concept of man, knowledge and learning From –isms to a conceptual entity: Commitment to the student’s needs Responsibility of both parties as learners

Implementing the promise made to the customers The promise = Master’s degree in two years Capacities and skills to be enrolled in a wide range of job market opportunities in development, leadership, management, administration and research in the educational sector Role of culture, learning concept and responsibility

Combining challenging goals with support of study Work load is 120 ECTS = 120 x 27 hrs of work A two year programme. The objective is a 100% graduation percentage. Role of successful application process in recruiting motivated students Support to study: orientation, study skills training, sensitivity to learners’ needs

Responsiveness to learners’ needs From sensitivity to responsiveness Caring is an interactive relationship between the carer and the cared for, based on listening, expressed needs and on mutual consent, assessed by the acceptance and the acknowledgement of the cared for. (Noddings 1992, 2005) Concept of servant leadership (Greenleaf 2002)

Conclusions A precondition to the success is the critical mass of education experitse on campus and teh networks of the IEL The mode of implementation of the MPEL programme derives from the service and leadership culture of the IEL The concept of caring in the programme is close to the concept of servant leadership The 100% graduation percentage objective is being reached.

- Thank you - Contact information Lea Sandholm, Researcher, Programme Director Institute of Educational Leadership P.O.Box 35 (A-building) University of Jyväskylä Finland