Leading professional group discussions: a challenge for principals?

No Thumbnail Available
File version
Author(s)
Vennebo, Kirsten Foshaug
Aas, Marit
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2020
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract

Developing collective professional capacity in schools is viewed as important for improving schools. Furthermore, principals are seen as being in a key position to promote the development of collective capacity. Although an array of studies report on what principals can do to support capacity development, such as by facilitating collective professional discussions among their staff, less attention has been drawn to how principals can engage in and lead such discussions. In this article, we present and use a conceptual model for leading professional group discussions to examine leadership of professional group discussions performed by principals in a Norwegian National School Leadership Program. The findings show that the principals’ focus is on fostering an open process by involving all participants in a way that gives all members a chance to provide their opinions and to have their thoughts heard. The principals pay less attention to the types of actions considered essential to keep discussions on track and carry them forward, including making further plans for actions. Because group discussions can lay the groundwork for building professional capacity and real improvement in schools, more awareness is needed for principals so that they can develop the skills needed for leading professional discussions.

Journal Title

International Journal of Leadership in Education

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume

23

Issue

5

Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Education systems

Specialist studies in education

Social Sciences

Education & Educational Research

Persistent link to this record
Citation

Vennebo, KF; Aas, M, Leading professional group discussions: a challenge for principals?, International Journal of Leadership in Education, 2020, 23 (5), pp. 552-566

Collections