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Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times
By
E. C. Sheninger (2014)
A Book Review
Media, politicians, and the public seem to attack our educational institutions including K-12, higher education, vocational, and adult education. This has affected funding, support, and understanding. Eric Sheninger, principal of the New Milford High School in New Jersey, realized he was not in control of his message and set out to shape how his institution was perceived by the school and public. He recognized Web 2.0 technologies were the key to his success. His lessons learned provide a guide for other educational leaders. This is a review of those lessons.
Sheninger clearly states his purpose in the forward of the book, "Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times presents a framework for leaders to harness the power of digital technologies in order to create school cultures that are transparent, relevant, meaningful, engaging, and inspiring" (Sheninger, 2014, p. xx). He calls this framework the "Pillars of Digital Leadership":
* Communication
* Public relations
* Branding
* Student engagement/leaming
* Professional growth/development
* Reenvisioning learning spaces and environment
* Opportunity
Web 2.0 technologies such as social media applications are at the heart of these pillars. Sheninger had to transform his opinions and perceptions of them before he could successfully implement these technologies. By his own admission, he did not see the need for technology in his school. He believed they would distract and not be worth...