Technology is everywhere and as educational leaders, the use of social networking tools can be a HOT topic!
Students, parents and colleagues alike rely more and more on their device to provide the answers they need, share and find ideas and to connect with friends, family and often times, teachers. As a teacher leader, social networking tools can help to keep the lines of communication open and share information in a timely and convenient way. With the right audience and meaningful entries, social networking tools can enhance a school's sense of community and support, open dialogue and transparency.
However, a blog is only as good as its audience and appeal. As a Principal, knowing your community is key. if your parent community is not receptive to the use of social networking tools, using this platform to communicate timely messages is not beneficial. If your community is receptive, how best do you push information to them? How do you use the tool most effectively? If you open the door to social networking tools, are you also ready to deal with that portion of the community who will post their true and often colourful feelings about situations that arise at school?
As a Consultant, your time to sit, reflect and share is limited, and the teachers you are working with may not willing to take the time to search you out to read about the latest and greatest.
I have enjoyed following numerous professional blogs and have dabbled with Twitter, but I am still uncertain about what or how I would use social networking tools at a leadership level.
How can the use of Twitter or other social networking tools help leaders support staff? How is this different from other methods?
Twitter, blogs and other social networking tools help leaders support staff in their practice by providing a platform for questions, new trends, relevant and timely resources as well as the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. Traditional networks of educators were limited geographically and often were built within individual schools -grade teams, curriculum teams etc. and with the rise of social networking tools, educators are able to connect with these same teams, but across cities, provinces and countries!
Is there an obligation for leaders to use social networking tools in your own organization? Should leaders be transparent? At the bottom of your post, provide some examples of Leaders, coaches, consultants, teacher/leaders that are using social networking to enhance their leaderships and coaching.
There is not an obligation for leaders to use social networking tools in Halton. Some schools encourage or promote one platform over another for teachers to use with their students and parents (ex. asking staff to have a Google site or Twitter feed).
I believe anyone in education who chooses to communicate to a wider audience needs to be transparent. Explanations about what and how the tool will be used should be communicated to any followers, expectations for responses and a clear delineation about professional and personal use should be included. I have followed some professionals who balance the personal and professional well, but would be most likely to recommend separation between the two.
I really enjoy following these Teacher Leaders on Twitter:
@RomanoJ -Joseph Romano -an ICT Leader and AQ instructor
@JasonMMarkey -Jason Markey -Leyden High school Principal from Illinois who uses Twitter amazingly well with his students! Had the pleasure to meet him and hear him speak about how Twitter has changed his school's climate and sense of community
@MsMagiera -Jenny Magiera, a Google certified teacher, Apple educator and Chicago Teacher who always has amazing insights into how technology can be used effectively by students, teachers and leaders!
What are the barriers in implementing 21st Century teaching and learning tools? How has networking and media impacted leadership?
Access to technology that supports the ease of social networking is one barrier. If you do not have your own smart phone, up to date computer and your school has aging technology, the appeal in using social media to engage your students is removed. Equity for students and families to access the technology exists as well and needs to be considered by any leader looking into a new platform.
Well established, clear and secure platforms are key for educators -it is necessary for educators -especially leaders to not jump on the newest and greatest without vetting the security and practices of the platform.
If educators do not feel they have access to reliable support in the use of these tools, or a network of colleagues and friends to help answer questions that arise, their willingness to rollout new tools may dwindle.
Networking and media have impacted leadership by allowing access to a wide range of experts, colleagues and resources in a more timely fashion, allowing teachers to question, search and find new trends in education, new resources and discussions at the click of a button or the use of a simple hashtag. Social media has also allowed for feedback and support for educators in leadership roles.
Great post...In some ways..It comes across as an interview. It is interesting to hear your thoughts, as leader, with these issues. One thing I found interesting was when you stated, "the appeal in using social media to engage your students is removed". This statement implies (and rightly so) that to move students, teachers, educators/leaders forward, there needs to be the "want" the "appeal" the enjoyment of it..... Old clunky technology certainly takes the fun out of it.
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Very thought provoking post! I like the way that you separated the roles and also emphasized the importance of knowing your audience. Also, thanks for the sharing of some of the people that you find innovative in the field...great resources! I have added them on twitter too :) Highlighting the importance of security was something that I also thought was key. This is something that has to be done to keep our students safe and is of paramount importance.
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