Activity
Use your e-diary to make initial comments about leadership. If this is the first time that you are using the e-diary in this module click here to open the e-diary, save it to your personal folder after writing your comment.
Note: Your tutor will have indicated to you which format to use for your e-diary. The Word document linked above gives you the basic template for a reflective journal, but your tutor may require you to use another tool such as a blog to capture your reflections. If you are unsure, consult your tutor.
Use your e-diary to make initial comments about leadership. If this is the first time that you are using the e-diary in this module click here to open the e-diary, save it to your personal folder after writing your comment.
Note: Your tutor will have indicated to you which format to use for your e-diary. The Word document linked above gives you the basic template for a reflective journal, but your tutor may require you to use another tool such as a blog to capture your reflections. If you are unsure, consult your tutor.
- What does being a good school leader mean to you? What sort of qualities and capabilities should a good school leader in this digital age exhibit? Write your thoughts in your e-diary.
- Do a self assessment on the qualities and capabilities of a good leader. How do you rate as a good leader? This quiz is a personal feedback tool. For feedback on the quiz, follow instructions on the page. There may be useful pointers that you can bear in mind when exercising your leadership role at the school. Remember to store your response in an appropriate personal folder.
- Read Instructions to leaders in the digital age. Make notes to yourself in your e-diary
- Participate in an online group discussion. Discuss the challenges that leadership in the present context, in the school, and in the country in general, poses for you. You may want to refer to particular challenges that you have faced at the school as a leader. In particular consider the following questions:
- When you look back at the way that you exercised your leadership role, would you now have handled this situation differently?
- In introducing ICT integration at the school, what do you believe will be the greatest challenge for you at the school?
Compare your comments with those of your learning group. How can you support them in their leadership roles? Your learning group is equally a resource for you.
- Make closing comments in your e-diary.
The greatest challenge posed to me would be that leaders are unwilling to or not passionate about ICT integration. This hesitation could be derived from a fear or being uncomfortable with interfacing with ICT due to a limited knowledge based in their professional or personal experience. Also, it could that they do not possess the mind-set to be flexible, adaptable, curious along with the hunger for new knowledge.
ReplyDeleteGood point Faye. What can we do to change this?
DeleteI do agree with you Faye. Experience and experimentation will make the integration progress.
DeleteTeacher Faye what would be your thoughts on Leadership and Training?
ReplyDeleteI believe that it is essential. Such training would assist persons become aware of the responsibilities and expectations associated with the position(s). If they are honest enough, they should said whether they can fulfil such roles or find another niche.
DeleteI agree with you Faye, Leaders lack knowledge and skills to integrate ICT and so they are not able to give adequate guidance and support to teachers. Leaders need to participate in and make available to staff professional development opportunities for gaining knowledge and skills.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest challenge for me, would arise from inspiring teachers to use the technology effectively. From my observation, teachers have used technology that either merely entertains the students without providing meaningful learning. Hence, it would be crucial for me, as a leader to empower the teachers to pay keen attention to the pedagogy when integrating technology.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest challenges that I have encountered so far are (1) the fear of change; (2) lack of creativity. When teachers are afraid to venture, these fears are passed on to the students. We tell them to take a leap of faith, but monkey see, monkey do. When creativity is stiffled, not much by way of progress can be accomplished. I think, sometimes as teachers, we are very hypocritical. We encourage students to think outside the box while we ourselves refuse to acknowledge the concept of the box.
ReplyDeleteThe question now is how do we get the teachers to think outside of the box.
Delete