#Change11 On Educational Leadership

What does educational leadership mean for educators?

Should educators be focusing on technology enhanced education and learning in colleges and HE?  How should the pedagogy be shaped, in response to the emerging social and technological landscape and most importantly the changing needs of learners and educators?

Should the pedagogy relate to how educators teach, and the strategies adopted? What should be the vision, mission and focus of educators at this digital era?

For those of us who are working in an educational institution, what are the challenges, in times of “crisis”?

I reckon the number one challenge is Leadership.

And leadership relates to pedagogy.

1. Which pedagogies would suit our and society’s needs and expectations, in times of rapid changes, in face of

– global and local financial crisis

– budgetary constraints on education and teaching

– technological affordances

– social developments

– global issues –  global warming, climate changes, ageing population, social equities

2. How should educators practice leadership?

As Jenny puts it nicely:

“Ultimately each person has to adopt the change for him/herself, but with the right leader and the right leadership style – and for me that is not a hierarchical style unless it is a crisis situation in which in case it might be needed/justified, such as in failing systems. But outside of a crisis situation ‘Distributed Leadership’ might be a better model, although other models might also be considered, such as ‘Servant Leadership’.”

Many theorists and researchers espouse Servant Leadership as a valid model for modern organizational leadership.  However, Servant leadership theory is still undefined and not yet supported by sufficient empirical research.  Servant leadership nevertheless offers the potential to positively revolutionize interpersonal work relations and organizational life.  Does it work in social networking?  How about its application in MOOC?  Has it worked?  And will it work?

I reckon it is fundamental for each educator and learner to adopt a leadership style that would be most conducive for leading the changes one would like to pursue.

Finally, I love these quotes.

“Success is not key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” Albert Schweitzer.

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