The Learning Technologies Unit website

The Certificate of School Business Management (CSBM) is a world leading programme that supports school leadership and management. Its aim is to assist school business managers (SBMs) in developing their expertise through a range of different learning techniques. CSBM provides the SBM with an accredited course which will provide a route to the knowledge and skills required to perform the role to the best of their ability, and ultimately improve school effectiveness.

The course focuses on the role of the SBM and covers a total of eight subject areas:

• school business management
• facilities management
• risk management
• financial management
• office systems management
• ICT management
• human resource management
• environmental management (sustainable development)

CSBM has a broad equivalence to national qualifications framework (NQF) level 4 i.e. the first year of a first degree. It is externally accredited by the Institute of Administrative Management (IAM).

There are 3 face-to-face residential sessions lasting 2 days each time. Courses materials which include handouts and scenario exercises are posted on the VLE called learning gateway before the residential sessions. Learners write reflective notes after reading the course materials posted on the VLE. During the sessions lectures are given. Course participants are encouraged to engage in analysis, reflective dialogues and comments on the materials. Through discussion forum collaborative learning is promoted among an online learning community.

After reading online materials, learners complete online tests. They have to score at least 80% in each test. They can retake the tests. Each time they take the test, the VLE generates different questions from questions bank randomly. Learners collect evidence of their competence against performance criteria in each element of the module/course and compile a portfolio. At the end of the course they have to give a presentation on their portfolio and pass an oral examination.

Tutors facilitate online discussions and give support and feedback. Tutors are accessible to students via email or phone calls. They give support in the residential sessions and one-to-one face-to-face support meetings with learners. An e-learning support manager also assists with technical issues. The National College for School Leadership helpline also provides support to learners.

Course participants must be practising school business managers. They must have access to a broadband connected PC or laptop at work or home, ideally both. But they do not have to have any e-learning experience as they will be taught of this in the course.

4 NCSL course team who develops and monitors the delivery of the course

• 1 programme manager, the IOE based overall course manager
• 8 tutors who are responsible for delivery and assessment
• 1 E-learning support manager, responsible for technical support
• 1 Course administrator, handles enrolment, correspondence and general administration
  

All learning materials, course book, study guides, course information, guidelines on e learning are posted onto the VLE, learning gateway. Learners can print these materials or just read them online

Main content formats

Main content producers

Main delivery formats

Online communication and collaboration between staff and students and among students are facilitated by discussion forum and email. Face-to-face meetings during residential sessions strengthen the online communication and collaboration.

• opportunities for sharing ideas and resources through reflective discussions and socisl construction of knowledge
• possibilities for establsihing online learning communities
• instance feedback
• easy progress/achievement monitoring and record keeping

• structure your course/module so that stakeholders are clear about its form and contents
• ensure that collaborative tasks match the paces of different people in a cohort
• face-to-face sessions and online learning activities have to complement each other
• establish trust, community spirit and conducive learning environment