WHY DO WE NEED AN EFFICIENT TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER IN EDUCATION? By: B n Brinda Surnam THE FUTURE IS ELECTRONI C
May 24, 2015
WHY DO WE NEED AN EFFICIENT TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER IN
EDUCATION?
By: B
n
Brinda Surnam
THE FUTURE
IS ELECTRO
NIC
Info graphics from the State Of The News Media 2012
Report
One-fifth of third-graders (Standard 4)own cell phonesA new study finds that 20 percent of third grade students have cell phones and 90 percent of them are online, while 83 percent of children in middle school have one.
This is the trend in the United states, however Mauritian students are not far behind in the communication field.
Revolution in the communication world
Students
Revolution in the communication world Info graphics from the State Of The News Media 2012 report and the
Mauritian context
If we correlate this study to the Mauritian context ,
text messaging is popular with our students.
Very few Mauritian teenagers /children of upper
primary classes do not have a mobile phone. Parents
provide mobile phones to their children primarily to
stay in touch with them.
Mobile phones hold a great importance in the
children’s lives. Gone are the days where they had to
ask permission to use the land line telephones
It is a fact that children from lower socio economic
backgrounds in primary or lower secondary classes
are less likely to own mobile phones.
Most of the children own either play station , PSP,
computer XBOX or Wii games
Research has shown that
In the Mauritian context
Texting is ultimate social tool for teens
63% of all teens say they
exchange text daily
72% of black teens and 63%
of Hispanic teens have
mobile phones
White teens are most likely to
have a cell phone (81%),
60% of 12- to 13-year-olds have a cell phone
90% of older teens (aged 14-17) have a cell phone
Social privilege
Integration of technology in the school/educational system: from classrooms to E- Learning. The educator can use multi media instruction for
teaching/learning
Multimedia programs contain links and tools that let the user navigate, interact, create and communicate with anyone across the globe.
Networks , such computer and other devices connected by cables, telephone systems, satellites or other means to provide enhanced means of communication are required
Computer software and application programs ,software dealing with the different subjects in the curriculum, problem solving software. are needed
Interactive books, games activities CD ROMS of encyclopedias , are required. (New Technologies in Education, A Beginner’s Guide, 3rd Edition)
Technological tools
Technological tools
Multimedia instruction are
defined as educational programs
integrating
text
animation
graphicsvideo
sound
The technological environment is controlled by the computer.
Benefits :Students will learn to utilize technology and be prepared for the future society and workplace where technologies will be ever present.
Technologies can
Cater
f or students of all abilities Promote
active learning
Enhance instructional effectiveness
Motivate students
Cater for individualizat
ion
Induce critical
thinking
Encourage multicultural collaboration
Promote E-Learning
Cater to all types of learning
styles
Boost communication skills
Encourage cooperative
learning
Importance of change Follow Darwin's Theory of Evolution- adapt, change or perish
As new technological tools will be used the way instruction is delivered and how learning is organised, will be affected
The reason for the changes to be made in educational field (tools, teaching methods) are self evident. E.g. lesson plans have to be prepared in such a way that technological tools are used intelligently.
The changes to be made are complex and can be expensive
It is not enough to buy technological tools and place them in educational settings. The tools by themselves are meaningless. Their power lies in the effectiveness of their use.
This change should be well planned out and implemented so that resources are not wasted and the pedagogical objectives set, are attained
E-learning is the new way to teach and learn and to make this a reality a clear vision and collaborative leadership is required
Human evolution is speeding up due to the changes in the new technologies. This has affected all spheres of life . One of the aims of education is to prepare the learner to live and adapt to the ever changing future.
Change your tools or be out of the race/ E -learning the future in Education
Implementation of innovative educational tools needs a contemporary style of leadership to transform the educational field- The
Transformational leadership, a tested and proven method of leadership
:
Dynamic
Democratic
Innovative
Transformational leadership changes the way
The transformational leadership is
Planning is done
People are engaged in the work
Leadership is exercised
The work is organised
The leader controls the project
Change is implemented.
Transformational leadership is about:
Creating a
vision
Setting goals
Providing intellectu
al stimulati
on
Supplying
individual
support
Leading by
example
Achieving the high goals set
Shared leadersh
ip
Transformational leadership combines both bottom up and top down approaches to fulfill the requirements of the projects.
Top down approachBottom down approach
Power is centralised
All the directions come from the top
Top management establishes project
objectives Top management
provides guidelines, information, plans and
funding processesManager clearly communicates his expectations to each project team member
Workers follow instructions
Employees are invited to participate in every step of the process
The employees and the management as a team agree on what course to take
Then team members develop personal to-do lists
It is up to each member of the team to choose the methods and ways to perform their tasks
The transformational leader implements E learning as well as other technologies by
1. Sharing his/her vision, pursuing agreed goals, helping others in achieving their purposes
2. Leading 3. Managing the change efficiently4. Creating conditions for successful
implementation5. Managing new educational
technologies6. Having the ability to make choices
and changes when required 7. Implementing e-learning programs
efficiently8. Coping with a changing world and
keeping abreast with new innovations
9. Developing new skills and attitudes10. Being open to learning11. Managing the finances for minimum
wastage and maximum benefits
Share leadership
Be a model
Create a vision
Supply individual support
Achieve high goals set
Intellectually challenge
Lead by example
CONCLUSION
A Transformational leader is needed to revolutionise the education system from top to bottom by implementing technological tools in teaching and learning
The technological tools by themselves are powerless but the intelligent use of these tools will render teaching and learning much more efficient.
The transformational leader has the ability to bring about this change firstly by his own personal attributes, then by his knowhow and skills, and by his leadership style.
The transformational leader is the core who can implement the changes systematically and with maximum success.
The technology manager should be a transformational leader
References
1. http://hypotheticorp.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/dreamstime_xs_17629027-e1314445525170.jpg/picture accessed on April 16th 2012
2. http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01298/child-mobile_1298315c.jpg/ picture accessed on April 19th 2012
3. Media Use Statistics Resources on media habits of children, youth and adults; http://www.frankwbaker.com/mediause.htm/ Accessed on April 19th 2012
4. New Technologies for Education
A beginner’s guide
3rd Edition http://www.amazon.com/reader/1563084775?_encoding=UTF8&page=316
5. https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRVztt2bmo4NbaLREmb2fDCs8_MmIkIk58hclGMvWorHf9DJ28FPoWV-w/ accessed on April 19th 2012
6. https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTj9Ii-ScB8lu4phhMCX1KPXVME4dZQbsCV4DOXLFDSf7orwMTZ_AqG6w/ image accessed on April 19th 2012
7. http://www.ebizq.net/z_images/features/monkeys.jpg Accessed on April 19th 2012
8. =0CDQQrQMwADgo
References
5. https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQWjREe0lzdHmhtYRDTneXB0qKA5kK5wSf5irlbM999aMI8gyesnkYK-fU Accessed on April 19th 2012
6. http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/get-maximum-benefits-of-merging-top-down-and-bottom-up-project-management.html
7. http://www.google.mu/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/E-learning,_blended_learning_framework_and_model.png&imgrefurl=http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:E-learning,_blended_learning_framework_and_model.png&usg=__i4atBDD1pIpFWRdnsvyhByXB_EI=&h=400&w=400&sz=83&hl=en&start=9&zoom=1&tbnid=MM2OXRuKrwsLEM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=124&ei=s4ghUu_FE8LmrAeQmYCABQ&itbs=1&sa=X&ved=0CEQQrQMwCA
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