A case study of Whangaparaoa College: a transformative learning organisation in the making?
Citation
Export citationKrishnamoorthy, R. (2009). A case study of Whangaparaoa College: a transformative learning organisation in the making? (Thesis, Master of Education (MEd)). The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10289/4293
Permanent Research Commons link: https://hdl.handle.net/10289/4293
Abstract
The concept of a learning organisation is relatively new to schools and educationalinstitutions in New Zealand. Understanding educational institutions as learningorganisations can enable institutions to meet the demands of an ever changing context.In this way, educational institutions can strategically develop as transformative learningorganisations that are dynamic and responsive.This research sought to explore the extent to which a particular school exhibits thecharacteristics of a learning organisation in its organisational development. The casestudy was situated in a New Zealand secondary school in relation to its transition froman intermediate school into a full-fledged secondary school. More specially, to whatextent is Whangaparaoa College a transformative learning organisation in the making?The findings presented in this thesis highlight the characteristics of a learningorganisation as exhibited by this particular school. While some characteristics relatedirectly to the five disciplines of learning organisations (Senge, 1990), this research hasidentified other characteristics that enable a unique way of considering a school as alearning organisation.The most notable attribute of this case study is the breadth of innovative thinking andpractice that was voiced by the participants. The innovative nature of the school isexpressed in the positional titles; infrastructure and the ICT influenced pedagogy.Developmental challenges are also construed as learning opportunities. Criticallyimportant to this schools development as a learning organisation is the role ofprofessional development for staff as this enhances the formation of a learningcommunity. This research opens a range of possibilities for future research whichmight investigate the characteristics of a learning organisation in different educational contexts.
Date
2009Type
Degree Name
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Publisher
The University of Waikato
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- Masters Degree Theses [2469]