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Practicing Collaborative, Continuous Improvement

Donald Peurach

Practicing Collaborative, Continuous Improvement supports local change agents in developing foundational capabilities for iterative analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation. Learn to address local needs, opportunities, and problems, with a focus on improvement science as a specific approach to collaborative, continuous improvement that is useful in classrooms, communities, schools, and systems. Under the guidance of leading researchers, learners develop capabilities to map systems that underlie persistent educational problems; identify a shared theory of (and ideas for) improvement; iteratively implement, measure, and refine potential solutions using plan-do-study-act cycles; and sustain and spread improvement within and beyond their local contexts. Learners also compare such work as enacted in improvement science and other approaches to collaborative, continuous improvement. Learners then develop a detailed plan for initiating a local improvement project to advance new ambitions for educational access, quality, and equity in their local contexts.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Kickoff
Thank you for joining us in Practicing Collaborative, Continuous Improvement!
1. Building Foundations
Welcome to Lesson 1: Building the Foundation! Please continue to "1. Introduction" to begin this lesson.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches collaborative, continuous improvement, which is standard in education
Provides guidance from leading researchers, which adds credibility
Each module focuses on a specific aspect of collaborative, continuous improvement
Develops practical skills for mapping systems and analysis
Examines approaches to collaborative, continuous improvement
Taught by Donald Peurach, instructor for leading courses

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Reviews summary

Practical framework for collaborative improvement

According to learners, this course provides a highly practical and well-structured framework for understanding and implementing continuous improvement methodologies. It is particularly valued for its actionable insights, making it ideal for local change agents in various sectors, including education and community development. Students highlight the course's systematic approach to learning improvement science, including in-depth coverage of PDSA cycles and developing detailed project plans. The content builds effectively, offering a foundational yet comprehensive understanding, though a few express a desire for even more hands-on exercises despite its practical focus. The emphasis on collaboration is also a key takeaway.
Highlights the importance of collaborative efforts in improvement.
"The course effectively emphasizes the collaborative nature required for continuous improvement."
"I valued the insights on fostering collaboration within teams to achieve shared goals."
"It helped me understand how to work with others to address complex systemic problems."
Offers in-depth coverage of improvement science and PDSA cycles.
"The course solidified my understanding of improvement science and the power of PDSA cycles."
"It thoroughly explains how to iteratively implement, measure, and refine solutions."
"I gained a comprehensive understanding of how to sustain and spread improvements effectively."
Features a clear, logical progression of foundational concepts.
"The lessons build effectively, taking me from foundational concepts to advanced application."
"I appreciated the systematic approach to understanding continuous improvement science."
"Each module felt well-paced and thoroughly covered its topic, making complex ideas accessible."
Provides practical tools and strategies for immediate application.
"I learned practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."
"The course material is highly actionable, making it easy to implement improvements in my organization."
"I can now confidently initiate a local improvement project using the methods taught in this course."
Directly addresses needs of change agents in various systems.
"As a change agent, I found this course directly applicable to the challenges in my field."
"It's perfect for anyone looking to drive systematic improvement in schools or communities."
"The focus on local needs and opportunities made the content incredibly relevant to my role."
A robust theoretical foundation, but some may seek more hands-on activities.
"While the theories are strong, I wished for even more direct hands-on application throughout."
"The conceptual understanding is excellent, but for some, more practical exercises might be beneficial."
"I found it comprehensive theoretically; however, the 'practicing' aspect could be enhanced with deeper case studies."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Practicing Collaborative, Continuous Improvement with these activities:
Brush up on improvement science frameworks
Improves understanding of foundational concepts in improvement science, making it easier to apply concepts in the course.
Browse courses on Improvement Science
Show steps
  • Review key concepts of improvement science, such as plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles and the Toyota Production System.
  • Consider past experiences or projects where you've applied improvement science principles and reflect on what worked well and what could be improved.
Review the basics of statistics
Review the basics of statistics to strengthen your ability to analyze data and measure the impact of your improvement efforts.
Browse courses on Statistics
Show steps
  • Find a statistics textbook or online resource.
  • Review the basic concepts of statistics, such as mean, median, and standard deviation.
  • Practice solving statistics problems.
Compile resources and tools related to improvement science
Organize and synthesize materials to enhance your understanding of improvement science and its application.
Show steps
  • Gather articles, videos, and other resources on improvement science
  • Create a digital or physical folder to organize your materials
  • Review and categorize the materials based on topics or themes
12 other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 15 activities
Review mapping techniques to better diagram complex systems
Improve your ability to identify, analyze, and map complex systems with this activity. This will aid your participation in the Mapping Challenges section of the course.
Browse courses on System Mapping
Show steps
  • Read at least two chapters in a book on mapping techniques
  • Watch a video demonstrating the mapping process
  • Complete an exercise by mapping out several systems
Watch a video tutorial on how to use improvement science to improve a school
Learn about the basics of improvement science and how it can be used to improve schools.
Browse courses on Improvement Science
Show steps
  • Find a video tutorial on improvement science.
  • Watch the video tutorial.
  • Take notes on the key concepts of improvement science.
Follow a workshop on data collection and analysis techniques in educational settings
Enhance your research skills to collect and analyze data by attending this workshop. It will support your work quantifying improvement effects and tracking progress during your own improvement projects.
Browse courses on Data Collection
Show steps
  • Find an appropriate workshop on data collection and analysis
  • Register for the workshop
  • Attend the workshop and participate actively
  • Apply what you learned in your own work
Discuss improvement science with a colleague or classmate
Share your understanding of improvement science with someone else and get their feedback.
Browse courses on Improvement Science
Show steps
  • Find a colleague or classmate who is also interested in improvement science.
  • Schedule a time to meet to discuss improvement science.
  • Come prepared to discuss your understanding of improvement science and any questions you have.
Practice mapping techniques
Practice applying specific mapping techniques to better identify problems, opportunities, and solutions.
Show steps
  • Identify a problem or opportunity you're interested in addressing
  • Choose a mapping technique to apply
  • Collect data and evidence related to the problem or opportunity
  • Create a map or visual representation using the technique you selected
Explore case studies of successful improvement initiatives
Analyze real-world examples of effective improvement projects to gain insights and strategies.
Show steps
  • Identify case studies of successful improvement initiatives
  • Review the materials and identify key factors contributing to their success
  • Discuss your observations and insights with classmates or colleagues
Participate in peer review sessions for improvement plans
Engage in peer review with classmates to refine your improvement plans and gain diverse perspectives.
Show steps
  • Submit your improvement plan for peer review
  • Review and provide feedback on the plans of your classmates
  • Incorporate suggestions and feedback to improve your own plan
Create a learning improvement plan for a specific classroom or educational setting
Apply what you've learned in the "Developing Theories" module by creating your own learning improvement plan. This will help you solidify your understanding of improvement science.
Show steps
  • Identify a specific classroom or educational setting
  • Conduct a needs assessment to identify areas for improvement
  • Develop goals and objectives for the plan
  • Create a timeline for implementing the plan
  • Monitor and evaluate the plan's progress
Create an improvement plan for a specific local problem
Practice your plan-do-study-act cycle to improve a real-world problem in your school or community.
Browse courses on Improvement Science
Show steps
  • Identify a specific local problem that you want to improve.
  • Develop a theory of change for how you think the problem can be improved.
  • Create a plan for how you will implement your improvement plan.
  • Implement your plan and collect data on its impact.
  • Analyze your data and make adjustments to your plan as needed.
Develop a plan for implementing an improvement initiative
Apply your learning to create a comprehensive plan that outlines your approach for implementing an improvement initiative in a real-world setting.
Show steps
  • Identify a specific problem or opportunity you want to address
  • Gather data and conduct an analysis to support your plan
  • Develop a detailed plan that includes goals, strategies, and timelines
  • Present your plan to classmates or colleagues for feedback
Attend local or virtual hackathons or innovation challenges
Challenge yourself and collaborate with others to develop creative solutions for improvement initiatives.
Show steps
  • Identify hackathons or innovation challenges related to improvement science
  • Form a team or collaborate with others to develop a solution
  • Participate in the event and present your solution to a panel of experts
Develop a case study of a successful educational intervention
Write a case study to showcase the power of educational improvement. This activity will help you demonstrate your ability to apply course concepts.
Browse courses on Case study
Show steps
  • Choose an educational intervention to study
  • Gather data on the intervention's implementation and outcomes
  • Write up your findings in a case study format
  • Share your case study with others

Career center

Learners who complete Practicing Collaborative, Continuous Improvement will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Instructional Designer
An Instructional Designer creates and develops educational materials and programs. This course is highly relevant to this career, as it provides a foundation in collaborative, continuous improvement. Learners will develop skills in iterative analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation, which are essential for success in this role. The course also covers topics such as developing theories of improvement and measuring and refining potential solutions, which are valuable skills for Instructional Designers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer
School Administrator
A School Administrator oversees the operation of a school or school district. This course is highly relevant to this career, as it provides a framework for leading and managing schools and districts. Learners will develop skills in strategic planning, budgeting, human resources management, and curriculum development. The course also covers topics such as data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement, which are essential for School Administrators.
See salaries and explore the career path for School Administrator
Instructional Coach
Instructional Coaches support teachers in improving their teaching practices and student outcomes. A course in practicing collaborative, continuous improvement aligns well with this role, as it provides a framework for working with teachers to identify areas for improvement, develop and implement solutions, and measure the impact of those solutions. The course also emphasizes the importance of collaboration and continuous improvement, which are key principles of instructional coaching.
See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Coach
Higher Education Administrator
A Higher Education Administrator oversees the operation of a college or university. This course is highly relevant to this career, as it provides a framework for leading and managing colleges and universities. Learners will develop skills in strategic planning, budgeting, human resources management, and curriculum development. The course also covers topics such as data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement, which are essential for Higher Education Administrators.
See salaries and explore the career path for Higher Education Administrator
Curriculum Developer
A Curriculum Developer designs, develops, and implements educational programs and curricula. This course is relevant to this role as it helps develop foundational capabilities for iterative analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation in educational settings. Learners will develop an understanding of improvement science and how it can be applied to address local needs, opportunities, and problems. The course also provides guidance on how to map systems, identify theories of improvement, and iteratively implement, measure, and refine potential solutions.
See salaries and explore the career path for Curriculum Developer
Education Consultant
An Education Consultant provides advice and support to schools and districts on a variety of educational issues. This course is highly relevant to this career, as it provides a framework for working with schools and districts to improve student outcomes. Learners will develop skills in needs assessment, strategic planning, and evaluation. The course also covers topics such as data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement, which are essential for Education Consultants.
See salaries and explore the career path for Education Consultant
Project Manager
A Project Manager plans, executes, and closes projects. This course is relevant to this role, as it focuses on collaborative, continuous improvement. Learners will develop skills in project planning, execution, and evaluation, which are essential for success in this role. The course also covers topics such as risk management and stakeholder management, which are important for Project Managers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Community Development Specialist
A Community Development Specialist leads grassroots efforts to improve communities by implementing collaborative improvement strategies. One might work alongside local change agents to develop and implement a plan to improve access to quality education. The course Practicing Collaborative, Continuous Improvement helps build a foundation in improvement science that is useful for mapping systems, identifying theories of improvement, and iteratively implementing, measuring, and refining solutions.
See salaries and explore the career path for Community Development Specialist
Training and Development Manager
A Training and Development Manager develops and delivers training programs for employees. This course is relevant to this role, as it provides a foundation in collaborative, continuous improvement. Learners will develop skills in training needs assessment, instructional design, and evaluation, which are essential for success in this role. The course also covers topics such as blended learning and technology-enhanced learning, which are important for Training and Development Managers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Training and Development Manager
Adult Education Instructor
An Adult Education Instructor provides instruction to adults in a variety of settings. This course may be useful for someone seeking this role as it provides a foundation in improvement science and collaborative continuous improvement. The course may be particularly helpful for instructors who are interested in developing new teaching methods or improving student outcomes through collaborative, continuous improvement.
See salaries and explore the career path for Adult Education Instructor
Program Evaluator
A Program Evaluator assesses the effectiveness of programs and interventions. By taking a course in practicing collaborative, continuous improvement, one may gain valuable skills in designing and conducting evaluations, collecting and analyzing data, and reporting findings. The course also covers topics such as improvement science and iterative design, which are important for evaluating the effectiveness of programs and interventions. This course may be particularly useful for those interested in evaluating educational programs.
See salaries and explore the career path for Program Evaluator
Teacher
A Teacher provides instruction to students in a classroom setting. This course may be useful for someone seeking this role as it helps build a foundation in improvement science and collaborative continuous improvement. The course may be particularly helpful for teachers who are interested in implementing new teaching methods or improving student outcomes through collaborative, continuous improvement.
See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher
Policy Analyst
A Policy Analyst develops and analyzes public policies. This course may be useful for someone seeking this role as it provides a foundation in improvement science and collaborative continuous improvement. One might work alongside local change agents to implement a plan to improve policies.
See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst
Research Associate
A Research Associate conducts research studies and analyzes data. This course may be useful for someone seeking this role as it helps build a foundation in improvement science and collaborative continuous improvement. One might work alongside local change agents to implement a plan to improve research methods.
See salaries and explore the career path for Research Associate
Quality Assurance Analyst
A Quality Assurance Analyst ensures the quality of products and services. One might work alongside local change agents to implement a plan to improve the quality of education. This course may be useful for someone seeking this role as it helps build a foundation in improvement science and collaborative continuous improvement.
See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Practicing Collaborative, Continuous Improvement.
Cover image
Lean Hospitals
Save
Offers a clear and concise introduction to the principles and practices of continuous improvement. Provides practical tips and tools for implementing continuous improvement initiatives in any organization.
Lean Hospitals
Paperback
$$
Lean Hospitals: Improving Quality, Patient Safety,...
Paperback
$$
Lean Hospitals: Improving Quality, Patient Safety,...
Paperback
$$
(Português) Hospitais Lean (Portuguese Edition)
Kindle Edition
$$
Lean Hospitals 1st (first) edition Text Only
Paperback
$$$
Cover image
Taking College Teaching Seriously - Pedagogy...
Save
Provides a theoretical framework for understanding collaboration and learning. Discusses the benefits and challenges of collaborative learning and offers practical strategies for designing and implementing collaborative learning environments.
Taking College Teaching Seriously - Pedagogy...
Paperback
$$
Taking College Teaching Seriously, Pedagogy...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Designing for Growth Field Book
Save
Provides a step-by-step guide to using design thinking principles to develop innovative solutions to business challenges. Emphasizes the importance of empathy, experimentation, and collaboration.
The Designing for Growth Field Book
Paperback
Check
The Designing for Growth Field Book
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword
Save
Examines the challenges that established companies face when disruptive technologies emerge. Offers insights into how to avoid being blindsided by innovation and maintain competitiveness in rapidly changing markets.
The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword: When...
Hardcover
$$
The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword: When...
Audio CD
$$
The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword: When...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Research Methods in Education
Save
Offers a practical and accessible guide to research methods in education. Covers a wide range of research methods, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods.
Research Methods in Education
Paperback
$$$
Research Methods in Education
Hardcover
$$$$
Research Methods in Education
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
The Art of Strategy: A Game Theorist's Guide to...
Save
Develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Provides frameworks for analyzing complex situations, making decisions under uncertainty, and developing effective strategies for achieving goals.
The Art of Strategy: A Game Theorist's Guide to...
Paperback
$$
The Art of Strategy: A Game Theorist's Guide to...
Paperback
$$
The Art of Strategy: A Game Theorist's Guide to...
Kindle Edition
$
Cover image
Supercommunicators
Save
Explores the science of habit formation and provides insights into how to create and change habits. Offers practical strategies for applying habit science to improve personal and organizational performance.
Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret...
Hardcover
$$
Charles Duhigg 3 Books Collection Set...
Paperback
$$$
(Español) Supercomunicadores [Supercommunicators]: Cómo...
Audible Audiobook
$$
(Português) Supercomunicadores [Supercommunicators]: Como...
Audible Audiobook
$
(Deutsch) Supercommunicators: Wie man die geheime Sprache...
Kindle Edition
$$

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Course image
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Michigan
Instructor
Donald Peurach
Language
English
This course belongs to a collection called Transforming Education in an Interconnected World. It's comprised of four courses:
  1. Envisioning Educational Transformation
  2. Series Orientation: Transforming Education
  3. Reimagining Educational Innovation
  4. Practicing Collaborative, Continuous Improvement (viewing)
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches collaborative, continuous improvement, which is standard in education
Provides guidance from leading researchers, which adds credibility
Each module focuses on a specific aspect of collaborative, continuous improvement
Develops practical skills for mapping systems and analysis
Examines approaches to collaborative, continuous improvement
Taught by Donald Peurach, instructor for leading courses
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