Systems Thinking and the Inner Development Goals.

Deepening leadership identity development.

Fostering social justice leaders through the social action, leadership and transformation (SALT) model

Advancing leadership in medical radiation sciences: Incorporating systematic leadership education in pre-registration curricula

More and more systems-related terms are emerging in the scientific literature, in curricula, and in popular media: systems thinking, systems approaches, systems analysis, systems dynamics, systems mapping, just to name a few. In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, thinking systemically can help us to understand, communicate, address, and educate about challenges we face. Systems thinking is both an approach to seeing the world in a way that makes connections and relationships more visible and improves our decision-making abilities, and a set of methods and tools. This current collection of materials includes a synthesis, exercises, and teacher guidance materials. The synthesis provides an overview of ways to think about systems and of systems thinking tools that can be useful to educators and learners in any discipline. The exercises leverage the content in the synthesis by focusing on two different systems thinking tools: a semi-quantitative modeling tool called Mental Modeler and stakeholder analysis. Students use Mental Modeler to explore the current dynamics of and links between corn and beef production in the United States and use stakeholder analysis to explore a suite of issues ranging from public health initiatives like food labeling to human rights abuses in the fisheries industry. These exercises are the initial building blocks for a broader collection currently under development.

More and more systems-related terms are emerging in the scientific literature, in curricula, and in popular media: systems thinking, systems approaches, systems analysis, systems dynamics, systems mapping, just to name a few. In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, thinking systemically can help us to understand, communicate, address, and educate about challenges we face. Systems thinking is both an approach to seeing the world in a way that makes connections and relationships more visible and improves our decision-making abilities, and a set of methods and tools. This synthesis provides an overview of ways to think about systems and of systems thinking tools that can be useful to educators and learners in any discipline.

Leadership learning through the lens of social class.

Purpose -This paper aims to explore virtual simulations, merging artificial intelligence with real-world simulations, supporting Canadian armed forces (CAF) junior military leaders (JMLs) leadership development. Our research questions are: (1) How do virtual simulations support CAF junior military leadership development within a globalized and complex environment in the 21st century? (2) Could virtual simulations support a leadership culture change through efficacious "soft skills" training? In this paper, we explore the efficacy of virtual simulations for enhancing or developing leadership in JMLs in the CAF through a four-day pilot project with twenty JMLs (n 5 20). Design/methodology/approach -To assess the efficacy of virtual simulations for leadership development, we designed and studied a four-day leadership workshop for JMLs in the CAF using several virtual artificial intelligence leadership role-play simulations developed by McGraw Hill in their smart book textbook (Manning & Curtis, 2022) and several non-virtual in-class simulations for comparison. We selected four twenty to thirtyminute virtual role-play simulations that synergized with the in-person morning leadership workshop. We facilitated the three-hour leadership workshops and virtual/in-class simulations over four consecutive days. We emulated the ELESS model (De Freitas & Routledge, 2013) to assess soft and leadership skills. Findings -The participants (JMLs) reported beneficial learning utility associated with the virtual simulations. Participants also expressed that further utility might be leveraged through virtual simulations incorporating greater complexity with multiple potential outcomes. They also suggested that leadership simulations designed around military situations would prove highly beneficial, something that was outside of the scope of this small pilot project. Research limitations/implications -Since this phase of our research is a pilot project, we secured a small amount of funding to test our hypothesis that simulations enhance leadership development for JMLs. These funding limitations resulted in several constraints in the research, such as the availability of virtual simulations articulating leadership from a military perspective. However, we believed the assigned organizational leadership simulations in the McGraw Hill Smart Book ecosystem would approximate generic leadership situations enough to test the hypothesis with the JMLs. As a pilot project, our sample size was relatively small (n 5 20 JMLs) since participation was voluntary amidst a busy spring season for the JMLs. Since this is a pilot project, we suggest that twenty JMLs are an adequate sampling to test the hypothesis that simulations enhance JML leadership development. We will expand the sample size in the next phase of our research as we work with the CAF to expand the pool of participants to at least forty JML participants (n 5 40). We also plan to secure further funding to collaborate with subject matter experts to design virtual simulations based on Canadian military leadership scenarios. Practical implications -The CAF host robust simulations capabilities for combat training, but have not exploited the potential training and analytical capacity of virtual leadership simulations for leadership

In our interconnected world, Systems Thinking (ST) is increasingly being recognized as a key learning goal for science education to help students make sense of complex phenomena. To support students in mastering ST, educators are advocating for using computational modeling programs. However, studies suggest that students often have challenges with using ST in the context of computational modeling. While previous studies have suggested that students have challenges modeling change over time through collector and flow structures and representing iterative processes through feedback loops, most of these studies investigated student ST through pre and post tests or through interviews. As such there is a gap in the literature regarding how student ST approaches develop and change throughout a computational modeling unit. In this case study, we aimed to determine which aspects of ST students found challenging during a computational modeling unit, how their approaches to ST changed over time, and how the learning environment was supporting students with ST. Building on prior frameworks, we developed a seven-category analysis tool that enabled us to use a mixture of student discourse, writing, and screen actions to categorize seven ST behaviors in real time. Through using this semi-quantitative tool and subsequent narrative analysis, we found evidence for all seven behavior categories, but not all categories were equally represented. Meanwhile our results suggest that opportunities for students to engage in discourse with both their peers and their teacher supported them with ST. Overall, this study demonstrates how student discourse and student writing can be important evidence of ST and serve as a potential factor to evaluate ST application as part of students’ learning progression. The case study also provides evidence for the positive impact that the implementation of a social constructivist approach has in the context of constructing computational system models.

The purpose of this article is to support the development of a personal theory of leadership and change that is supported by research and the development of change theory. In educational leadership, it is important to lead by developing personal styles of leadership rooted in theory. With a focus on collaboration, development of norms, and how leadership can foster an environment where feedback is valued, a leader can develop novel changes to sustain their academic spaces and or school district. This article suggested that educational leaders can create and track their development of leadership style as a blueprint to make sustainable decisions and changes. Also, with a focus on empowerment, an educational leader can provide their staff personnel with a chance to have a personal investment in the changes that will take place within the organization. The authors discussed the models of educational leadership and change within the perspectives of system thinking and empowerment for educational leaders to consider making substantial progress toward molding their personal leadership styles. Keywords: Educational Leadership, Change, Personal Leadership Styles, Systems Thinking, Empowerment

The number of recognized leadership development programs in institutions of higher education is rapidly nearing 1,000. This includes all three forms of leadership programs-training, education, and development, as outlined by Ayman, Adams, Hartman, and Fisher (chap. 11, this volume; also see Mangan, 2002; Sorenson, 2000). Yet, relatively few of these programs are curricular-based undergraduate programs offering academic credit in the form of a bachelor’s degree, academic minor, or certificate. The purposes of this chapter are (a) to provide an overview of the historical and conceptual development of undergraduate leadership studies programs, (b) to connect college-based leadership studies programs withthe larger literature on leadership development via a model, (c) to provide guidelines for undergraduate curricular programs, and (d) to provide specific examples of leadership studies curricula with a liberal arts focus.

Call to Improve LTC Leadership Development

This study aims to develop scales to measure teachers’ systems thinking and leadership in education for sustainable development (ESD) at an environmental care and culture school, which is important because the school serves as an ESD benchmark for other public schools. However, there is no adequate performance measurement scale that incorporates the three dimensions of the triple bottom line (TBL). The 133 samples in this study were collected from four schools in regencies and cities in Indonesia. We developed a scale to measure teachers’ systems thinking and leadership in ESD. The developed scale was then tested using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). We found that the teachers had the lowest performance in systems thinking competence compared to other competences, such as ability to plan content and social dimensions. The teachers set a good example by using polite language and gestures but did not model green behavior. The teachers also had low scores in peer participation in external organizations and activities. The scale formulated in this study can be used to measure teacher performance in ESD, although some indicators must be further developed. In the future, purely confirmatory studies can validate the dimensional structure of this exploratory factor analysis.

The expansion of educational opportunities internationally provides major prospects for developing countries to reform their education systems. The rise of new forms of transnational education, (the provision of education to learners in a country different from that of the provider) and the expansion of capacity building opportunities have helped developing nations to increase domestic access to international education and to enhance the quality of their local education systems through increasing the variety and relevance of their programmes. Pakistan, being a developing nation, faces huge educational challenges due to its highly rigid and bureaucratic system of education. It also faces a lack of resources and training opportunities to enhance and expand the capabilities of teachers and educational leaders. However, community based, not-for-profit institutions in Pakistan are making every effort to improve the quality of education through providing capacity building opportunities to teachers and educational leaders. Notre Dame Institute of Education (NDIE) in Karachi is one such kind of institute. It is affiliated with Karachi University (KU) and accredited with Australian Catholic University (ACU) and offers an M. Ed. programme for educational leaders. This study explores the effectiveness of the transnational M. Ed. programme at NDIE as a means of educational leadership capacity building in Pakistan. The main research problem was examined through four research questions which explored: the distinctive elements of the M. Ed. programme offered at NDIE and its focus on capacity building; the contextual factors contributing to this capacity building; the impact of the M. Ed. programme on the development of the leadership capacity of its graduates; and finally the contributions of this case study research to the understanding of issues related to transnational education focusing on educational capacity building. A qualitative approach, in the form of case study, was adopted for the research. The data was collected by means of survey questionnaires distributed to all the M. Ed. graduates; in-depth individual interviews and focus group interviews of selected graduates and NDIE teachers; analysis of the documents related to the M. Ed. programme and the transnational partnership between ACU and NDIE, and the researcher's reflective journal. The comprehensive narrative indicates the use of appropriate means of qualitative data reduction, analysis and display. This study highlights the contribution of the NDIE M. Ed. programme to the development of educational leaders in Pakistan and its impact on graduates in terms of bringing about change in their knowledge, skills, attitudes and practices as educational leaders. Using the United Nations Development Programme's framework (2009), this study also provides insights into the process of capacity building through the transfer and successful application of knowledge, expertise and methodologies from one educational context into another very different educational context. Furthermore, this study provides valuable insights into the contribution of ACU, Australian Sisters of Mercy and the Catholic Education system to educational leadership capacity building in Pakistan. As a result of this research, a number of recommendations are made for consideration by NDIE, other providers of leadership development programmes in Pakistan, ACU and future researchers.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the quality of the current provision for school leadership in Kenya, the extent to which they have an impact on student outcomes and the return on school leadership preparation and development investment. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws from educational leadership, management and administration courses delivered by universities and other institutions to aspiring and practising educational leaders in Kenya. It employs a method for evaluating return on leadership development investment first articulated by Eacott (2013). Findings – While there is growth in provision, consistent with international trends, this provision is more recognised for its standardisation than points of distinction; there is minimal attention to identified dimensions of leadership leading to higher student outcomes which raises questions regarding the universality of school leadership preparation and development curriculum; and the high course costs of current provision is an inhibiting factor in assessing the return on investment in school leadership preparation and development. Research limitations/implications – The study was limited to publicly available documents from a limited sample of institutions. There is a need for more studies in the area. Practical implications – Institutions seeking to offer school leadership development have grounds on which to make decision about what programs their school leaders should undertake in terms of cost and quality. The study provides institution offering school leadership development courses evidence on which to base future policy direction. Social implications – The findings provide a case for investing in school leadership development given the impact courses may have on student outcomes. Originality/value – The paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current provision on school leadership preparation and development in Kenya. It contributes to its understanding in Africa in terms of quality, performance impact and return on investment.

This study explores the manifestation and impact of Inspirational Motivation, a key dimension of Transformational Leadership, on school governance, particularly focusing on policy implementation and management in public elementary schools in Candelaria, Quezon. Using a descriptive quantitative research design, data were collected from 31 school heads through a validated researcher-made Likert-scale questionnaire. Results show that transformational leadership is widely demonstrated through Inspirational Motivation, with school heads effectively articulating a clear vision, fostering emotional engagement, instilling confidence and optimism, recognizing and empowering others, and leading by example. These leadership behaviors positively correlate with enhanced collaboration, staff morale, and professional growth. Furthermore, statistical analysis using paired t-tests revealed no significant difference between the planned and implemented leadership actions, indicating a strong alignment between intended governane goals and their actual execution in school settings. The study concludes that Inspirational Motivation significantly contributes to governance efficiency, especially in implementing educational policies and managing daily operations. Consequently, a School Governance Framework is proposed, centering on vision-driven leadership, stakeholder engagement, ethical conduct, and professional development. The research recommends strengthening leadership training, policy monitoring, stakeholder inclusion, technological integration in operations, and recognition systems. Given its rural setting, the study highlights the importance of contextualized leadership practices to address local challenges. Overall, it contributes to bridging leadership theory with governance practice, offering practical implications for educational policy and leadership development within the Philippine basic education system. Keywords: Inspirational Motivation, Transformational Leadership, School Governance, Policy Implementation, Educational Leadership, Vision-Driven Leadership, Candelaria Quezon, Public School Management