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Digital Leadership
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Digital Leadership
Changing Paradigms for Changing Times

  • Eric Sheninger - International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE)

Foreword by Yong Zhao



264 pages | Corwin

"Leadership is no different today than it was years ago. The only difference is that style and focus need to change with the times if we are to accomplish the lofty task of preparing students for a dynamic world that is more social and connected as a result of technology. Leading in a way that supports the status quo, standardization, outdated practices, and misconceptions related to technology, not only does a disservice to our students, but also renders our schools and profession as irrelevant." - Eric Sheninger

It’s time for the next generation of leadership.

Digital leadership is a strategic mindset and set of behaviors that leverages resources to create a meaningful, transparent, and engaging school culture. Leading in education becomes exponentially powerful when using technology to your advantage.

Eric Sheninger—“Principal Twitter”—shares his Pillars of Digital Leadership to help readers

  • Transform school culture by initiating sustainable change
  • Use free social media tools to improve communication
  • Integrate digital tools into the classroom to increase student engagement
  • Facilitate professional learning and access new opportunities and resources
 
Foreword by Yong Zhao
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
A Day in the Life of a Digital Leader
 
1. The Evolving Educational Landscape
 
2. Why Schools Must Change
 
3. Keys to Leading Sustainable Change
 
4. Leading With Technology
 
5. Communication
 
6. Public Relations
 
7. Branding
 
8. Professional Growth and Development
 
9. Increasing Student Engagement and Enhancing Learning
 
10. Rethinking Learning Environments and Spaces
 
11. Discovering Opportunity
 
12. A Call to Action
 
Appendix A: The ISTE National Educational Technology Standards for Administrators
 
Appendix B: Twitter Memo for Parents
 
Appendix C: Student Media Waiver
 
Appendix D: Professional Growth Period Model Developed at New Milford High School
 
Appendix E: Integrating Digital Tools and Content to Develop Essential Literacies
 
Appendix F: IOCS Rubric
 
References
 
Index

Digital Leadership is a focused guide to using the many new channels of modern communication to engage families, tell your school’s story, inspire staff growth and connection, and bring new relevance to the classroom. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the options out there, this book will give you a head start on mastering your social media strategy.”

Daniel H. Pink, author of To Sell is Human and Drive

"Digital Leadership is a great one-stop shopping place to learn about all the key ingredients you will need for success in the digital age. Sheninger connects the dots with his 7 pillars, his listing of obstacles and ways to overcome them, and the integrated solution that brings it all together. Comprehensive, clear, practical --get it and use it today!"

Michael Fullan, Corwin Author and Dean and Professor Emeritus
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Toronto, Canada

“There are books on technology that don’t show you how to change. There are books on how to change that have nothing to say about technology. Then there are curmudgeonly commentaries that are dismissive about change and technology in equal measure. Eric Sheninger’s book alters all that. Through personal testimony, practical examples and a commitment to clear professional learning, Digital Leadership opens your mind, and shows you the tools that will make you think again about what 21st Century Learning can really look like. If your ipads are used as notebooks, your smartboards are glorified whiteboards and your school has an electronic ban on access to everything, this book will make you look at technology and learning with totally different eyes.”

Professor Andy Hargreaves, BA, PhD, Hon Doc (Uppsala), FRSA, Thomas More Brennan Chair in Education
Lynch School of Education, Boston College

"This book is THE book on digital leadership.  There is no one I can recommend more highly than the most connected educational leader today – Eric Sheninger – to help us navigate all of the changes taking place in classrooms, schools and districts.  The book is perfect to help everyone initiate transformational change in a digital world.  Whether you are a cutting edge techie or a nervous newbie this book is for you."

Todd Whitaker, Ph.D., Professor of Educational Leadership
Indiana State University

Digital Leadership is essential reading for any education leader trying to figure out how technology can strengthen schools—and what pitfalls to avoid. Eric Sheninger masterfully makes the connections as to how technology can strengthen schools, providing an essential guide for today's leaders in education. This is a readable, practical book!"

Cindy Johanson, Executive Director
Edutopia

“Digital Leadership” is more than a catchphrase—it’s how school principals must lead students, parents, and teachers—and no one is better equipped to describe this leadership approach than Eric Sheninger.

Digital Leadership is a carefully crafted and highly readable book that simultaneously provides a view of digital leadership from 60,000 feet alongside a boots-on-the-ground realist’s view of modern schooling. From setting aside fears of technology to understanding the importance of communication, public relations, and even branding, Digital Leadership offers compelling recommendations not only focused on the need to change but also on best ways to sustain change.

It’s possible that Eric saved the best for last when he describes the networked teacher and how students must be engaged in new, exciting ways, for truly, school leadership has always been about helping teachers engage students.

Finally, don’t mistake this as a book on technology. From the first to the last page, Eric’s book is all about school leadership, one that I highly recommend to every school leader."

William Bushaw, Executive Director
PDK International, Arlington, VA

"Eric recognizes that ongoing professional development is key to helping staff meet the challenges of the future. Eric Sheninger shares how to leverage technology to build a strong school-based professional learning agenda when other resources are not meeting the needs of your faculty and students.  His story and tools will be inspirational to others. Eric Sheninger recognizes that professional learning is key to achieving the goals of career and college ready standards. He shares the strategies he implements to prepare this staff and students to embrace the power of technology."

Stephanie Hirsch, Executive Director
Learning Forward

"How do school leaders transform themselves from the leadership style of today to become digital leaders of tomorrow? Eric Sheninger's Digital Leadership is an easy read for those who want to begin the transition to digital leadership but have been afraid to take the first step. More than merely a 'how to' book, Digital Leadership is a clarion call to action that compels the reader to do something now to transform schools into 'vibrant learning communities that are connected and allow social media to unleash creativity in learners.'

Digital Leadership addresses the growing disconnect between the world our students inhabit and the world in which they are educated. Replete with stories and concrete examples of 'how to', Digital Leadership is a must read for any school leader who recognizes that we stand at a crossroads in education where innovative leaders who possess the courage, passion, knowledge, and skills believe that 'technology is not just a shiny tool that can increase engagement but a conduit to endless possibilities that can enhance every facet of what we do in education.' A must read."

JoAnn Bartoletti, Executive Director
National Association of Secondary School Principals

"I loved this book! It is filled with many examples of how technology is impacting learning in classrooms across the country.  Whether you are a technology guru or learning to embrace technology, every school administrator should read this book to learn ways to prepare their students to be successful in the 21st century. Leadership 3.0 is a mindset that every school administrator needs to embrace and lead with. I am going to request that my superintendent purchase it for my fellow administrators, along with the educators on our district technology team."

Jessica Johnson, Principal and District Assessment Coordinator
Dodgeland Elementary School, Juneau, WI

"What a great read! Digital Leadership situates the trends in technology and education within an historical context and provides a blueprint to the reader for a navigable pathway for the future. And it manages to do so in a way that is empowering and energizing, while still addressing the very real fears and challenges facing any leader standing at this nexus of authentic educational reform. It is a very rare blend of philosophy, pedagogy, and practical, roll-up-your-sleeves how-tos."

Dr. Natalie Bernasconi, Lecturer
Univeristy of California, Santa Cruz

Eric C. Sheninger

Eric is a Senior Fellow and Thought Leader on Digital Leadership with the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE). Prior to this, he was the award-winning Principal at New Milford High School. Under his leadership, his school became a globally recognized model for innovative practices. Eric oversaw the successful implementation of several sustainable change initiatives that radically transformed the learning culture at his school while increasing achievement. His work focuses on leading and learning in the digital age as a model for moving schools and districts forward. This has led to the formation of the ... More About Author

Also available as a South Asia Edition.