Does Distance Learning need its own Leadership theory?
One of the questions this week in the forum was should Distance Learning (DL) have its own leadership theory? I struggled engaging in this conversation. Initially, I wanted to say no, of course not. Like any leadership, I do feel the leader involved needs to web his or her own leadership style into the role. I feel that leadership involves a certain set of skills and good leaders will often change to fit the needs of those he or she serves - in many ways like a situational leader. I think I am feeling more like a situational leader – the one who matches the leadership style to meet the needs of those who are following.
However, at one point in my career I had a principal who was solely in charge of leading all the distance learning teachers in our division. I remember feeling that there were areas that his leadership skill set lacked. I do not mean to judge, but he lacked some technological knowledge. He also thought that the best way to get reluctant learners to participate was to get into our cars and drive to the neighbouring schools and have face to face conversations with our students. So upon further reflection, I do think that there needs to be a set of skills a distance learning leader needs to have. I believe he or she needs to understand technology, needs to understand how to create community with the students. I think that there has to be a rapport between the principal and teachers and also there needs to be a good understanding of how to teach online.
I believe that there are critical issues that leaders in distance learning must look at that are different from other, more traditional educational institutes. In Beaudoin’s (2015) article, he points out that there are several issues that DL instructors face. He speaks about managing change rather than technology. This is a good point. Quite often teachers get hung up on the new technology rather than how its application can be best used to enhance learning. A good distributed leader will be able to help guide staff in the right direction for the benefit of students.
Beaudoin’s (2015) also discusses the need to maintain a meaningful role for instructors in self-directed learning situations. I can really relate to this. When I was a DL teacher, I did find it difficult at first to function more as a coach rather than the instruction I had been practicing for years. Beaudoin (2015) also states that for some educators in this role, they begin to compromise their own value as an educator. As a leader in DL, it will be imperative to shift that mindset.
With the new innovation, Beaudoin (2015) also reminds us that we need to maximize its uses while creating as little of a disruption as possible. I again have found myself getting too wrapped up in the innovation. Finally, Beaudoin (2015) also speaks about the need to bridge the digital divide in cross-cultural settings. DL is capable of connecting students from around the world. As a leader, how does one help the instructors build this cross-cultural setting so that the educational experience is a value to all?
Beaudoin (2015) points out four competencies that he believes the DL leader must have:
- Accurately diagnosing situations and devising appropriate strategies.
- Ability to create conditions for innovation via a Transformational Leadership style.
- Maintaining resilience and perspective in times of glacial and precipitous change.
- Commitment to prepare the next generation of distance educators.
While I feel like I still believe that a leader must adapt to meet the needs of his or her followers, I would also agree with Beaudoin (2015) that there are different competencies that a leader in DL needs just like there are different competencies for a high school principal, a Dean at a university or the leader of health care professionals. What I do argue is that with each role and within the context of each organization, the people, the context and the goals will determine the competencies needed to achieve the desired outcomes; however, I maintain that the leadership will change given the circumstances the leader finds his or herself.
Beaudoin, M. F. (2015). Distance Education Leadership in the Context of Digital Change. Quarterly Review of Distance Education, 16(2), 33–44. Retrieved from http://0-search.ebscohost.com.aupac.lib.athabascau.ca/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=108714700&site=eds-live