Modeling is one of the best ways to lead others. In schools, I feel that this should be happening in all levels of leadership. If we really want to create students and teachers that create digital-age work, conduct digital-age research, and work together in digital environments, the leadership the administrative team and the teachers should be modeling it in their daily practice. Imagine a teacher who said that it was important to create digital work but did not own a computer. Would you give them and credence? Think of a teacher who pushed students to use Twitter as a resource tool but never published a tweet. Would you respect their opinion? Finally, think of a teacher who becomes outdated because they refuse to use the digital resources available to them. Would they continue to grow with the world around them? In all these scenarios the answer is a resounding NO. Leading in the digital age requires that administrators and teachers model digital age work, research, collaboration, and learning so that others follow.
I was lucky enough to end up on the front end of the Millennial generation. Technology comes easy to me and I pursue it: I update software often, I research online and hardly ever going to a physical library, and I collaborate with Google Docs, text messages, Blogs, Twitter, Edmodo, and YouTube. Technology is part of who I am and it really helps me be an effective teacher and leader. I speak in the same dialect as the students. When they talk about Clash of Clans, I can joke around with them about what level their town hall is. If a student asks in class if they can use their phone to verify a Google account, I say "sure, no problem." I understand technology; I use it all the time, and it helps students focus on what is important, learning and completing the task at hand. When I learn something new, I publish it and share it. Often times, someone else benefits and picks up the practice and passes it on to the next person. This is what modeling does. It creates a community of learners.
I was lucky enough to end up on the front end of the Millennial generation. Technology comes easy to me and I pursue it: I update software often, I research online and hardly ever going to a physical library, and I collaborate with Google Docs, text messages, Blogs, Twitter, Edmodo, and YouTube. Technology is part of who I am and it really helps me be an effective teacher and leader. I speak in the same dialect as the students. When they talk about Clash of Clans, I can joke around with them about what level their town hall is. If a student asks in class if they can use their phone to verify a Google account, I say "sure, no problem." I understand technology; I use it all the time, and it helps students focus on what is important, learning and completing the task at hand. When I learn something new, I publish it and share it. Often times, someone else benefits and picks up the practice and passes it on to the next person. This is what modeling does. It creates a community of learners.
Level 1 Artifacts - Give evidence of knowledge of current research
Level 2 Artifacts - Give evidence of application of this knowledge in one’s current or future vocation
Level 3 Artifacts - Gives evidence of research, innovation and or leadership in one’s organization and beyond in helping others apply this knowledge.