This course has provided me with valuable insights into the attributes of a leader in a digital learning environment. At the beginning of this course, our class reflected on the essential attributes of a leader working in a digital learning environment. Then, we engaged in an active learning strategy by working in groups to rank twenty attributes from most valued to least important. This exercise was an engaging way to start the course and has had a lasting impact on me. Throughout the course, I have been thinking about leadership attributes and what stands out to me is that a leader needs vision and the ability to communicate it effectively.
Another experience that captured my attention during the course was the discussions about ChatGPT. We had conversations about it in Zoom, Moodle, informally in the class Slack channel, and through the class-created toolkits. The rapid pace of change and resulting tensions made this course immediately relevant to my work. In a rapidly changing environment, which education has been in recent years, adaptability is of immense importance. A leader must be able to adapt to changing circumstances and be flexible in their approach and thinking. Additionally, empathy is another essential attribute, given the stresses and emotions of change. A good leader aims to listen and empathize with the people they lead. Therefore, I value vision, communication, adaptability, and empathy as critical leadership.Â
I also found the readings about data-driven decisions meaningful. I have been using student feedback to inform my teaching practice and reviewing basic learning management system information to track student progress and provide support. However, I am now curious to learn more about ethically accessing and gathering data to gain further insight to improve teaching and learning. As well as data could help me gain a better understanding of the institution where I teach. I look forward to learning more about research methods to develop my strategic planning leadership skills and support innovation. Using data to inform decisions makes my planning initiatives more likely to succeed.
In sum, this course has helped me develop my leadership skills by providing insights into the attributes of a leader in a digital learning environment, demonstrating the importance of vision, adaptability, and empathy, and highlighting the value of data-driven decisions. I believe that by continuing to develop these skills, I can become a more effective leader in my context