ED35C4: Leading Theory-Informed Change

ED35C4: LEADING THEORY-INFORMED CHANGE (2026-2027)

Last modified: 13 Aug 2026 10:16

Course Overview

This course enables students to lead meaningful change by using theory to inform improvements in their setting. Students learn to translate theoretical perspectives into practice by developing and justifying a policy document, alongside engaging in reflection, discussion, and critical analysis of their own professional experience.

Course Details

Study Type	Undergraduate	Level	3
Term	Second Term	Credit Points	30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus	Aberdeen	Sustained Study	No
Co-ordinators	Ms Helen Lloyd-Ogg

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

Course Description

This course supports students to lead positive change within their setting by grounding their decisions in relevant theory and professional reflection. Through collaborative learning and critical analysis, students evaluate their own practice, explore approaches to improvement, and consider how theory informed leadership can enhance outcomes for children, families, and teams.

On this course, students will:

Explore how to lead and implement positive change within their setting, drawing on theory and reflection.
Use theoretical perspectives to inform and justify a policy response or improvement.
Participate in collaborative discussions to share experiences, exchange ideas, and learn from another setting.
Review examples from practice to build confidence in analysing approaches to leadership, decision making, and improvement.
Plan and justify a small change initiative within their setting by producing a policy driven rationale based on theory.
Reflect on how learning from the course can influence future practice and leadership.

Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 21st September 2026 for Term 1 and Full Year courses and 8th January 2027 for Term 2 courses.

Summative Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	100
Assessment Weeks	20	Feedback Weeks	27	Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	4,500-word essay worth 100% of the course grade. Written tutor feedback. Verbal feedback is also offered if required.	Word Count	4500

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Analyse	Use wide and relevant reading to support critical analysis and professional discussion around theory informed change.
Conceptual	Understand	Demonstrate integrated knowledge of how children develop and learn, with critical understanding of key learning and development theories.
Procedural	Analyse	Critically analyse practice in own and another setting using learning theory.
Reflection	Evaluate	Carry out self‑evaluation against the Standard for Childhood Practice, identifying strengths, development needs, and next steps for improvement.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	100
Assessment Weeks	30	Feedback Weeks	33	Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	Resit 4,500-word essay worth 100% of the course grade. Written tutor feedback. Verbal feedback is also offered if required.	Word Count	4500

Learning Outcomes

Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on or with the Course Coordinator
Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Procedural	Analyse	Critically analyse practice in own and another setting using learning theory.
Reflection	Evaluate	Carry out self‑evaluation against the Standard for Childhood Practice, identifying strengths, development needs, and next steps for improvement.
Conceptual	Analyse	Use wide and relevant reading to support critical analysis and professional discussion around theory informed change.
Conceptual	Understand	Demonstrate integrated knowledge of how children develop and learn, with critical understanding of key learning and development theories.

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