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DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION - EXPERTISE TO LEAD DIGITIZATION INITIATIVES
he process of learning is not confined to the • A newfound comfort level with learning cultivates
time spent in a classroom, with homework or deeper perspectives and fresh viewpoints, igniting learners
on field trips. Learning involves many facets to explore the intricacies of learning itself and how it applies
Tof activity and information flow that form a to their world.
learning ecosystem. Today’s learning faces many barriers, • A limitless learning environment levels the playing
including social, economic and technology constraints. Yet field and knows no economic, ethnic, political, or social
technology can effectively address these challenges. boundaries.
In order for technology to improve education, schools TRANSFORMIST – SCHOOL MANAGEMENT
must consider the total environment and fully understand Management need an environment in which student
the learning ecosystem. Barriers present in the ecosystem information is seamlessly integrated between management
must be illuminated and appropriate technology-based systems within the school, across schools, and with
solutions must be applied to overcome those barriers government agencies. They must be able to track and
and thereby assist educational organizations in achieving improve student and school progress, and be informed
their goals. Initiatives in global information technology about potential problems and opportunities so they can
standards, provide a broad range of capabilities for take immediate action. Management need to clearly
improving the learning ecosystem. communicate with parents, teachers, and the community.
They must control costs, yet remain flexible and adaptable to
Schools today require flexible and cost-effective growth, change. Management should easily access financial records
including the use of existing technology and the ability to and create their own customized reports, enabling them
adapt to change. Therefore, the learning ecosystem must be to make decisions informed by accurate and reliable data.
agile, capable of changing and growing as new innovations School related information should be maintained in real
occur in teaching, learning, technology, and as the needs of time. Management should be able to assess which students
the ecosystem evolve and mature. Envision the possibilities are progressing or falling behind, and take appropriate
of such an ecosystem, a community of learning for teachers, action, such as ensuring that a teacher is participating in
parents, students, and administrators in which: appropriate professional development or that another is
rewarded for innovative work.
• Each has access to personalized learning on a range of
devices—anywhere, anytime—individualizing their learning CHANGE MAKERS – PRINCIPALS
capability and accelerating the learning cycle. There are a number of challenges that principals face
• Each is empowered to harness new technologies and in the current learning ecosystem. The following are just a
learning applications, eliminating time-sapping struggles few of the more prominent factors that affect their ability
with the mechanics of learning. to manage the school:
• Learning is fully integrated with learners’ individual • Data: Principals lack the timely and accurate data
lifestyles and preferred learning styles—seamlessly needed to take action. They know certain students are falling
adapting to their personal needs and abilities. behind, but cannot pinpoint possible causes. Principals also
52 EDUCATIONWORLD APRIL 2021