Introduction to Improvement Science (2024-2025)
Course
Course fee for first Cohort only 1,525 AED
Course Description
Introduction to Improvement Science is a mediated online course that will familiarize participants with key concepts, strategies, and tools of improvement science. Learners will work in collaborative teams to develop their conceptual understanding of the principles and practices of improvement science as well as to build their skills to apply improvement methods to real problems of practice.
Learning Outcomes
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Identify the core principles and practices of improvement science, focusing on benefiting the school environment, by the end of the first module.
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Apply improvement science practices within a collaborative network of colleagues to support school improvement, by the end of the course.
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Formulate a problem of practice by analyzing a specific issue within the school context, ideally within two weeks of identifying the problem.
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Draft an aim statement based on a detailed study of the system in which the school-related problem exists.
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Develop a theory of practice improvement, supported by evidence, considering its impact on the school setting.
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Design at least one potentially high-leverage change or improvement after conducting research relevant to the school environment.
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Design a Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) test, or test of change, to address school-based issues.
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Implement the designed changes within the timeline set by the PDSA test, aiming for positive outcomes in the school context.
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Refine changes based on feedback and initial outcomes, keeping the school’s benefit in mind.
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Document PDSA results and key learnings at the conclusion of each testing cycle, focusing on how these can inform school improvement.
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Use PDSA learnings to guide future testing cycles (adopt, adapt, abandon), with an emphasis on enhancing school practices, within the next testing cycle.
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Disseminate improvement knowledge developed through testing to achieve change at scale, with the intention of benefiting the school, by the end of the program.
Course Delivery
This course has 6 modules spread out over 18 weeks, including an orientation and a wrap-up webinar. For this course, you will want to allocate approximately 3-5 hours a week to work through the materials and practice using the tools of Improvement Science as a team in your context.
Following the systematic design of each module, you will complete your individual preparations and assignments before focusing on the team activities. The estimated time commitment for each team assignment will vary with each week and is indicated on the team assignment task cards. Of course, as you work through the individual portions, we encourage you to also connect and talk with team members, other classmates, and the instructors to deepen your individual and our collective learning.
Module 00 Welcome to the Course: is self-directed
- Module 01 Introduction to the Principles of Improvement Science: is self-directed
- Module 02 Understanding the Problem & the System: uses a combination of self-directed, small group and direct instruction in one 6-hour workshop or one 4-hour workshop and one 2 hour webinar
- Module 03 Focusing Collective Efforts/Theory of Improvement: uses a combination of self directed, small group and direct instruction in one 6-hour workshop or one 4-hour workshop and one 2-hour webinar.
- Module 04 Testing Changes & Building Evidence: uses a combination of self directed, small group and direct instruction in a 4-hour workshop.
- Module 05 Achieving Quality at Scale/Spread and Scale: is self-directed.
- Module 06 NICs as a General Problem-Solving Approach: uses a combination of self-directed, small group and direct instruction in a 4- hour workshop (approximate worktime 7-8 hours over 2 weeks)
Facilitator
Nidal AboNajm |
Award
Certificate of Completion
Course
Delivery Mode |
Blended |
Institution |
Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching |
Stream |
Professional Development |
Target Audience |
Leaders, middle leaders, teachers, parents, community… can also include the level of the course… i.e. for “highly experienced leaders” or for “new teachers” … later we will add a level option to explain the level more, as the course aligns to a framework and the school improvement framework. |
Language |
English |
Discounted Price |
1,525 AED |
Payment by Instalment:
Payment |
Amount (AED) |
Date |
Registration fee |
475 |
Week 0 |
Instalment 1 |
350 |
Week 4 |
Instalment 2 |
350 |
Week 8 |
Instalment 3 |
350 |
Week 12 |
Here is the course outline:
Installment Payment Links |
Introductory Module
Oct 23, Sharjah Education Academy
-EDPD10001E- In this module, learners will be introduced to the Improvement Science course |
Module 1: Introduction to The Principles of Improvement Science
Oct 28, Sharjah Education Academy
-EDPD10002E- During this module, learners will get to know the answer to the essential question; What are the six core principles of improvement science? |
Module 2: Understanding the Problem & the System-EDPD10002E- The module introduces the improvement case that will be used as a model throughout the course. Introduces teams to the importance of starting with the problem to solve and explores the use of various improvement tools to analyze problems and their causes. Develops a cause-and-effect diagram (also known as a fishbone or Ishikawa diagram) to represent causes of the unique problem of practice in their context. Teams will apply their team assignments to a problem of practice they identify. Participants also explore how moving quickly to identify solutions can impact the effectiveness of improvement efforts. |
Module 3:Focusing Collective Efforts/Theory of Practice Improvement-EDPD10003E- Begin the transition from understanding the problem to making changes to the system to improve outcomes. Describe the characteristics of aim statements and their role in an improvement journey. Explain how a driver diagram articulates an aim, selected high-leverage drivers of that aim, and change ideas as potential improvements to the system. Recognize that change ideas come from a diverse set of resources (research, experimentation, benchmarking the practice of others, front-line workers, human-centered design processes, etc.). Embrace measurement as part of our improvement journeys. |
Module 4: Testing Changes & Building Evidence-EDPD10004E- In this module, we will cover the following ideas: How a driver diagram represents a shared theory of practice improvement. How change ideas are informed by a causal system analysis and working theory of practice improvement. The reasons behind iterative testing in an improvement effort. The roles of theory and prediction when testing change ideas. A system of measures for improvement. The social processes and work of using improvement tools. How a network structure supports collective learning. |
Module 5: Achieving Quality at Scale/Spread and Scale
Feb 10 2pm .. 3:30pm, Zoom
-EDPD10005E- In this module, we will cover the following ideas: That the improvement learning journey is structured by an aim and driver diagram. The factors that contribute to confidence and decisions about scaling the change. How new contexts provide unique opportunities to learn as you spread change. |
Module 6: Networked Improvement Communities as a general problem Solving Approach-EDPD10006E- In this module, we will cover the following ideas: How a network, as a social organization, is uniquely well-suited to improvement work. The key features of a Networked Improvement Community (NIC). How the structures and norms of a NIC differ from those of other collaboration structures. |