Gozitan school leaders' interpretations of the school and social media : a crossroad for transition or transformation?

Abstract

Schools are always formalising new ways on how to best embrace digital technologies and accompanying mediated practices, yet, a form of school leadership that facilitates the meaningful adoption of technology by teachers in formal educational contexts is important. While digital natives may have not come of age yet to populate school leadership positions, current school leaders must keep themselves updated to encourage and assist teachers with digital technology integration. By looking at schools that are currently availing themselves of a strong social media presence, this study investigated school leaders’ roles and leadership style inclined to promote and facilitate digitally mediated attitudes as examples for future digital leadership. One observed trend among schools was the use of social media. Although school leaders were not digital natives, their work proved its validity in a digitally mediated learning environment. School leaders gave teachers integral decision-making roles in the implementation and use of digital technology and even involved them in uploading of information in the social media platforms. This study therefore provides insights and ultimately provokes discussions on how school leaders’ leadership styles are changing to reflect 21st century school scenarios.