Knowing what you can expect from an online principalship curriculum before enrolling is essential. You will learn communication skills, empathizing with people, problem-solving skills, and technology.
Communication Skills
In an online principalship curriculum or EdS in educational leadership, effective communication skills are crucial. Principals need to be able to communicate information effectively and resolve conflicts. They are also responsible for the entire school and must ensure everyone is on the same page. Effective communication is a two-way process. Both parties must be aware of the other’s needs and values. Principals need to be open and flexible. If one party does not listen, they may discourage further communication. To enhance their communication skills, principals must interact with students, parents, teachers, and other community members. They also need to be knowledgeable about technology and media. These tools can make communications more accessible, faster, and more secure. In addition, principals should develop strong partnerships. A good network helps to reinforce student learning. However, principals need to be aware of the various networks and strategically use them.
Empathizing With People
Empathizing with people is a hot topic in education. In turbulent times, social-emotional learning, justice, and tolerance issues have become more important. Educators must be able to better understand and connect with people. Several studies have been conducted to determine the effectiveness of different interventions. The results suggest that literature and film are useful in developing empathic empathy. However, a more nuanced understanding of the impact of the curriculum may require more granular data. Depending on the nature of the curriculum, the effects may be long-lived, spanning from a single lesson to several years.
Educators are challenged to learn how to be more empathetic with their students, staff members, and parents. Ideally, principals can identify with and listen to their students’ needs. They also have to be able to articulate solutions to their problems. Developing this skill is a multi-pronged strategy that requires active listening, communication skills, and the ability to engage with various stakeholders.
Problem-Solving Skills
Developing problem-solving skills is a priority for educational leaders. Principals must be able to address various issues, including student misconduct, instructional leadership, and personnel matters. Problem-solving requires a plan, critical thinking skills, and an understanding of context. A recent study evaluated the ability to inspire school administrators to develop their problem-solving skills. It found that students who had an explicit problem-solving instruction course and practiced their skills showed significant improvement. However, it did not find evidence that this was a permanent improvement. The authors recommended further research to identify approaches to improve problem-solving skills. Participants in the study were enrolled in a one-year certification program for aspiring educational leaders. They were assigned one of two Google Forms surveys designed to elicit quantitative and qualitative data on their problem-solving abilities.
Technology
Technology in an online principalship curriculum involves creating pathways for differentiated instruction. Technology allows students to work at their own pace and engage in real-world activities. This leads to active learners. It’s also an effective means of engaging students in whole-class instruction. Teachers and administrators should learn about technology tools. They should use them during professional development, faculty discussions, and staff meetings. In addition, they should have a consistent unified approach to technology. One way to achieve this is through International Standards for Technology in Education. The standards focus on student learning, professional development, and the development of academic skills. Some of the standards include ePortfolios, blogs, and WebQuests. Depending on your school’s needs, it is beneficial to collaborate with other teachers and students to design a comprehensive curriculum based on the ISTE Standards. In addition to establishing a technology mentoring system, principals can encourage teachers to attend technology conferences. By doing so, they can model the use of new technologies and validate students’ sense of self-efficacy.
