INTRODUCTION
In the previous topic,you were introduced to the tasks educational administrators perform.In this topic,we are going to learn about leadership as applied in educational administration.The topic is divided into four sections,namely;
- Introduction:Leadership defined;
- Theories of Leadership.
- Styles of leadership;
- Factor hamping effeciency of leadership.
Objectives
At the end of the topic, the participant should be able to;
- Define the concept of leadership,
- Identify and discuss three theories of leadership
- Name and describe four styles of leadership
- List factors which hamper leadership efficiency.
Learning Activities
Activity 1: Leadership and Management
Leadership is a complex process and we have serious reservations over the extent to which a set of standards, qualities or competencies can ever fully capture the nature of what makes some leaders successful and others unsuccessful. Read the provided links and resources on leadership and Management, based on your reading define the term Leadership and diffrentiate leadership from management.
Activity Resources
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadership
Summarize your findings in the "Leadership and Management" assignment area.
Activity 2: Theories of Leadership
Many leadership theories have been suggested since time immemorial. Early leadership theories focused on the behavior and qualities of successful leaders where as later theories gave more importance to the role of associates and followers. Some of the leadership theories are discussed in the following activity resources below.Read and take note in a personal journal the leadership theories discussed.
Activity Resources
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Questions
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Questions
1. From you reading answer these study questions. Note your answers in a personal journal and upload the journal in the "Leadership theory" assignment box.
2. What is the situational theory?
3. How is the situational theory important to a beginning school teacher?
4. Briefly describe the contingency theory by giving two specific examples from your local secondary school.
Activity 3: Leadership Styles
Leadership style refers to a leader’s behaviour. It is the result of the philosophy, personality and experience of the leader.
In 1939, a group of researchers led by psychologist Kurt Lewin set out to identify different styles of leadership. While further research has identified more specific types of leadership, this early study was very influential and established three major leadership styles. In the study, groups of schoolchildren were assigned to one of three groups with an authoritarian, democratic or laissez-fair leader. The children were then led in an arts and crafts project. Researchers then observed the behavior of children in response to the different styles of leadership.
Read the provided activity resources on the styles of leadership, take note of the featurers of each style of leadership.
Study Questions
- Identify and describe three styles of leadership.
- Differentiate between the nomothetic and idiographic styles of leadership.
- What would be the results of Laissez-taire style of leadership in a school? Consider both teachers and students.
Practice Activity
In this activity, i would like you to ask your self which kind of leader you are. In the link provided are 18 questions to test your leadership style.
1. What is your leadership style?
Share the results with fellow participants in the topic 4 discussion forum.
Activity 4: Factors which hamper leadership efficiency.
Your Task
By now you understand various leadership theories and styles. Visit an educational institution of your choice. Interview a few personnel within the institution on the kind of leadership styles employed by thier administrators. Take note of the factors that hamper leadership effeciency within that institution and recommend remedies.
Post your findings in the topic 4 discussion forum.
Assesment
- Using examples from your local school, discuss how the head teacher can exercise leadership without necessarily being a manager.
- One of the factors affecting effective leadership in school organization is the head teacher’s unwillingness to accept criticism. Discuss this statement suggesting some remedies.
- Identify the most appropriate style of leadership to be applied in your local school. Give specific examples for your answer.
- List your local teachers school, location, M.P, co-operation etc and decide in which leadership group would place each. (It might be wise to burn your notes after words!).
- Name two advantages autocratic leadership. Discuss any of the two advantages.
- List four disadvantages of autocratic leadership.
Summary
In this topic,you have learned about leadership and how it functions in Educational Administration.You learned about theories and styles of leadership.You also discovered some advantages and disadvantages of each style of leadership.Finally, your attention was called to some factors,which prevent a leader from being efficient in his administrative leadership.Some remedies against those factors have been suggested.
Lecture
