And on the Twelfth Day of Digital Leadership… Just do it!
There will never be a ‘right time’ and digital competency, literacy and leadership is not going away. Start now. Start small and learn as you go.
There will never be a ‘right time’ and digital competency, literacy and leadership is not going away. Start now. Start small and learn as you go.
Embrace the edge? What does this mean? Throw away old models of top-down leadership and make sure you are using digital connectivity to garner the best ideas from your network of staff, students, parents, Governors and local businesses.
Ready your staff and students in new global competency skills development. Consider how project based learning may develop collaborative and problem-solving skills in your students.
Digital tools provide a unique opportunity to ‘level the playing field’. When designing your digital leadership strategy aim to embrace tools and approaches which speak to a broad range of learners (introverts as well as extroverts, those who aren’t digitally connected at home as well as those who are)
A legacy of wild spending on edtech ‘kit’ has created a sour taste in many leaders’ minds on money better spent elsewhere. The best way to avoid this is to start small, pilot, review and scale from there.
Nothing will dampen the spirit of your new digital leaders more than a class ‘buffering’ due to poor infrastructure. (See also ‘security’. Don’t be the next ransomware story.) Work with your network manager and digital leaders among teachers to balance innovation, longevity and security.
Truly measuring impact has become one of the top skills for digital leaders. Programmes like UCL Knowledge Lab’s Educate and the Jefferson Education Accelerator are working with edtech companies to help make their products more efficacious. But in the mean time you should also be reviewing any programmes you set up and making sure they have impact. Mark Anderson (aka ICT Evangelist), Former Assistant Head, Award-winning blogger, speaker and edtech consultant gives the teachers’ point of view…
Recruitment and retention is a huge issue for school leaders, but could better, more relevant CPD opportunities keep some of your best staff engaged?
4. Build the right team
Early adopters, laggards, luddites: each nursery, school, university, college or workplace has its own unique mix. No different to any other form of leadership, building a strong and balanced team around you, with honest communication, will be key to your success.
3. Be Pragmatic
Every school has its own unique set of circumstances and restraints. Be pragmatic about working within your own bounds to create a culture of digital leadership (and impact) that is truly sustainable.