{"id":432,"date":"2022-03-06T16:36:18","date_gmt":"2022-03-07T00:36:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0202\/?p=432"},"modified":"2022-03-06T16:43:53","modified_gmt":"2022-03-07T00:43:53","slug":"leading-change-in-uncertain-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0202\/leading-change-in-uncertain-times\/","title":{"rendered":"Leading Change in Uncertain Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

The global community is approaching the second anniversary of the emergence of the COVID virus and ensuing pandemic, and it is somewhat overwhelming and emotional to reflect on the changes that have taken place in public education over the past two years. The shifts to online learning at different points in the pandemic can be considered massive initiatives requiring project management approaches. A comparison of Alberta\u2019s K-12 emergent shift to online learning in March 2020 and the various shifts to online learning during the 2020-2021 school year due to localized COVID outbreaks provides thought-provoking fodder for a reflection on leadership and change.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Following are some of my personal, anecdotal, boots on the ground observations:<\/span><\/p>\n

Figure 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

A Comparison of the March 2020 and 2020-2021 Shifts to Online Learning<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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March 2020 Shift to Online Learning<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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2020-2021 School Year Shift(s) to Online Learning<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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  • Immediate; very little notice given<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Emergency conditions\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Most classroom teachers had little to no experience designing learning in digital learning spaces<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Leadership had not recently faced a challenge of this speed and magnitude<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Accessibility issues for the student population (internet access, access to useable technology, etc.) became evident<\/span><\/li>\n
  • The in-person relationship building that is an inherent part of classroom learning was difficult<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Student stress levels were high as a result of the dramatic shift from in-person to online learning<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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